South Korea has suspended striker Hwang Ui-jo, just seven weeks ahead of the Asian Cup, amidst a police investigation into accusations of illegally filming a sexual encounter with his ex-girlfriend.
The Norwich City forward vehemently denies the allegation. Despite playing in two World Cup qualifiers this month, including scoring a penalty against Singapore, the Korea Football Association took the decision to suspend Hwang on Tuesday, awaiting the outcome of the ongoing police investigations.
While sidelined from national duties, the 31-year-old remains eligible to play for his English second-tier club, Norwich, and notably contributed with a goal in their recent 3-2 defeat against Watford on Tuesday.
“Until a definitive conclusion is drawn, we have decided to exclude Hwang from the national team,” a KFA statement said.
Lee Youn-nam, who heads the KFA’s ethics committee, told reporters that national players must conduct themselves “with a high degree of morality and responsibility”.
“Considering the fact that the player is being investigated as a suspect, it is difficult for him to carry out normal national team activities,” Lee said.
“Football fans have high expectations for the national team, (so) we have deemed it inappropriate to select Hwang Ui-jo for the national team.”
Hwang, who is on loan at Norwich from Nottingham Forest, has scored 19 goals in 62 appearances for South Korea.
Coach Jurgen Klinsmann said in a statement issued by the KFA: “I fully understand the current situation and will respect the decision of the Korea Football Association.”
Klinsmann picked Hwang for recent World Cup qualifying wins over Singapore and China, after the police had begun their probe and defended his decision at the time.
“There is always speculation,” said the German World Cup winner after returning from the 3-0 win over China in Shenzhen last week.
“Until there’s nothing proven… I don’t believe it.”
The Asian Cup kicks off in Qatar on January 12, with South Korea opening their campaign against Bahrain three days later.
