Son Joon-ho (33), who was embroiled in a match-fixing scandal in China, took the opportunity to return to the court after rejecting FIFA's request for disciplinary action against the Chinese Football Association (CFA).
Son Joon-ho made his professional debut with the Pohang Steelers in 2014 and then came to Jeonbuk Hyundai in 2018 to dominate the K-League stage.
Having emerged as the core of Jeonbuk's mid-range team, he contributed significantly to the three K-League 1 championships and one FA Cup (currently the Korea Cup) championship for Jeonbuk Hyundai from 2018 to 2020. After moving to China, he joined Shandong Taishan, a Chinese professional football super league, in 2021, and won two titles in the league and the FA Cup, making his strides successful. Then came news that made Korean soccer fans doubt their ears.
Son Jun-ho was arrested on charges of "taking over non-state workers" while returning home from Shanghai's Hongqiao Airport on May 12, 2023, and was investigated by Chinese public security. Former coach Jurgen Klinsmann and the Korea Football Association, who led the national soccer team at the time, came forward, but it was difficult to meet Son. Son Jun-ho was released from prison in March 2024, 10 months later, and returned to Korea after joining Suwon FC in the K League 1 of the pro soccer league. In August last year, he scored a goal to return to the K League for the first time in 1,400 days in an away match against Ulsan HD in the 27th round of the Hana Bank K League 1 2024. At the time, Son said, "I want to say thank you to the people. Thank you for your concern and support. I was able to endure and come back without you. Without my family, I might not have been here, but I want to say I love you to my family who supported me until the end."
However, allegations of match fixing surfaced again. A month later, the CFA held a press conference on special corrective measures for illegal gambling and match fixing in the professional league, and permanently expelled Son Joon-ho. The CFA notified not only the Korea Football Association but also FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) of Son's expulsion permanently, and Suwon FC took steps to terminate his contract with Son. Son's life is on the verge of being cut off. However, he survived when FIFA rejected the CFA's request for disciplinary action. 메이저놀이터 The Korea Football Association said on the 24th that it received an official letter from FIFA informing that the CFA's request to expand Son's disciplinary action worldwide has been rejected. This means that Son's disciplinary action against Son will be effective only in China. This means that he can play in not only K-League teams but also in overseas leagues other than China. Attention is focusing on whether Son, who used to play as a midfielder for the national soccer team, will be able to play at home and abroad again.