(CNN) – South Korean soccer player Son Jun-ho tearfully denied accusations by Chinese authorities on Wednesday that he engaged in match-fixing and bribery while playing in the country and said he gave a false confession under duress.
The Chinese Football Association (CFA) yesterday declared a lifetime ban on 38 players, including Son, and five officials, following a two-year investigation into match-fixing and betting that was part of a crackdown on corruption.
“I never participated in match-fixing,” Son said at a news conference. “The only proof they have is my false confession made under duress,” she added, bursting into tears.
“They threatened me that if I did not accept the charges, my wife would also be arrested and investigated.”
The midfielder, who lost his place in the South Korean team since the scandal broke, was released and returned home in March after almost 10 months of detention in China.
Son said he had agreed not to speak about his experience during detention as a condition of his release, but decided to speak out because he was surprised to be included in China’s bans.
Son added that he was not mistreated during his detention, but described the conditions in which he was held as harsh.
The Chinese Football Association could not immediately be reached for comment on Son’s remarks. China’s General Administration of Sports and the ministries of foreign affairs and public security did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Three former Chinese internationals, Jin Jingdao, Guo Tianyu and Gu Chao, were also banned for life, according to findings made public on Tuesday at a press conference by the Ministry of Public Security and the General Administration of Sports of China.
When he was detained in China last May, the Foreign Ministry said Son, who played for Chinese Super League club Shandong Taishan FC, was suspected of accepting bribes.
Son, who has now signed for South Korean club Suwon FC, said he hoped to continue his career.
