Tottenham star Son Heung-min's father 'summarily indicted on child abuse charges' at South Korea training centre after young players are allegedly 'kicked and struck with a corner flag'

According to Seoul-based news agency Yonhap, the indictment was handed down on Friday, following an investigation into the activities at his Son Football Academy. The charges against Son Sr. stem from allegations that he, along with two other coaches at the academy, mistreated young players. Among the accused coaches is Son Heung-min's older brother, Son Heung-yun. Prosecutors have not only sought undisclosed fines for the trio but have also mandated that they complete a specialised training program aimed at preventing future instances of child abuse.

The Son Football Academy, located in Chuncheon, has been under scrutiny since March, when the parents of one of the young players reported that Son Sr. had physically assaulted their child. According to the complaint, the incident occurred during a training camp in Okinawa, Japan, where Son Sr. allegedly struck the boy on the thigh with a corner flag. The assault reportedly left the child injured, requiring two weeks of medical treatment.

Son Sr. released a statement which read: "This incident was not corporal punishment but a mutually agreed event as part of fitness training. I will self-reflect in atonement for having insisted on my method while failing to catch up with the boundaries set by the change of times and laws. I swear that coaches at my academy have never engaged in any action that wasn't based on love for our young players. Much of what the plaintiff has said is not true, and we at the academy are fully cooperating with the authorities during this investigation, without distorting or covering up facts."

Whereas, the parents said via Yonhap: "Thinking about how frightened my son must have been makes me angry. I decided to report the case to the police because I didn't want to see another case like this."

The news of the indictment has sent shockwaves through South Korea, where Son Woong-jung is a well-known figure in the football community. Having played professionally for teams such as Sangmu FC, Hyundai Horang-i, and Ilhwa Chunma, Son Sr. was once a prominent forward in the sport and even represented South Korea's B team in 1987.

In 2021, The Son Football Academy was opened. It is situated approximately 80km northeast of Seoul in Chuncheon. The facility, reportedly built at a cost of under £11 million, includes a clubhouse, classrooms, six pitches and a football field. It was envisioned as a centre for nurturing young football talent, but the recent allegations have cast a shadow over its operations.

Son Woong-jung is often credited with playing a pivotal role in the development of his son, Son Heung-min. However, the latest incident will be a dark spot in his coaching career.