Sports
Son Heung-min, Lee Kang-in and the row that dislocated a finger and rocked South Korea's Asian Cup
The physical altercation that left Tottenham Hotspur and South Korea captain Son Heung-min with a dislocated finger had been a good few weeks in the making.
The South Korea camp for the Asian Cup played in Qatar over the past month or so had been far from harmonious, with splits everywhere you looked. Manager Jurgen Klinsmann divided opinion, and he himself is said to have thought there was a lack of team spirit in the group, with something of a split between its big-name players such as Son, Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Hwang Hee-chan, Paris Saint-Germain’s Lee Kang-in and Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae, and the less-experienced ones.
Son, the 31-year-old captain, is understood to have felt that some of the younger players weren’t taking the tournament — the Asian federation’s four-yearly equivalent of the Euros or Copa America, and a competition South Korea hadn’t won for 64 years — seriously enough, while those like the 22-year-old Lee rejected this suggestion.
A source close to one of the players told The Athletic last week that the group failed to produce a single performance across their six matches, three in the group and three knockout-phase ties, that was 100 per cent collective.
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It all came to a head last Monday, the night before their 2-0 semi-final defeat to Jordan, when a few of the younger players, including Lee, wanted to leave the team dinner early to play table tennis.
Son objected to this and forcefully made his point, which drew a similarly forthright response from Lee. An altercation followed involving a number of players, during which Son dislocated a finger as he tried to break things up. It’s also been claimed that Lee was pushed in the chest, and reacted angrily.
Son playing against Jordan with his fingers strapped after the incident the night before (Simon Holmes/Getty Images)
A spokesperson for the South Korea FA (KFA) confirmed the altercation had occurred, telling the Yonhap News Agency on Wednesday that: “It happened when some young players went up to play table tennis, and Son Heung-min and other older players took issue with it.
“The players exchanged a few words and Son hurt his finger in the process.”
The Athletic has contacted the KFA for further comment.
What happened next is disputed. It’s been suggested that some of the squad said to Klinsmann that Lee should be dropped for the semi-final. Others have denied this happened, and Son, for instance, is said to like Lee and have no issue with him. One view is that it was more about maintaining general standards and behaviours.
Either way, there is clearly a huge amount of ill-feeling among those involved for South Korea in the Asian Cup. And these revelations raise several questions.
The first is why the usually reserved KFA were so quick to confirm the story. It’s being suggested in the country that they did so to divert attention from the hugely unpopular Klinsmann, who most supporters want fired after a pretty dismal Asian Cup campaign. They reached the semis but scraped their way there — drawing two of their three group matches then winning one knockout tie on penalties and another after extra time, both having scored stoppage-time equalisers — and were never convincing.
Klinsmann faced some difficult questions on his return to Korea (Jung Yeon-Je/AFP via Getty Images)
“Do you plan on resigning?,” was the first question asked to Klinsmann in his post-tournament press conference, held in Incheon Airport in Seoul immediately after the squad arrived home, where a baying public had gathered.
Others believe that the story has been leaked by those who want the 59-year-old former Germany, Bayern and United States manager sacked as a way of showing how out of control things have become on his watch.
Klinsmann, appointed just under a year ago, is thought to have been surprised by the lack of harmony and team spirit in the group. He felt those dramatic victories against Saudi Arabia and Australia might galvanise the players as they progressed through the knockout rounds but instead, after the shock defeat to Jordan in the semis, he went public to say that their opponents had more desire than his players, adding: “They wanted it more.”
There is a lot of pressure not just on Klinsmann but also on the man who hired him: KFA president Chung Mong-gyu. Chung went into the search that ended with the former Germany, Tottenham, Bayern and Inter Milan striker getting the job wanting a big-name manager who would boost the country’s global profile, and is said to be determined to see this project through. The two men have met twice since the Jordan defeat and both appear keen to carry on, despite the public hostility. “Nice question!,” Klinsmann laughed when asked if he would be resigning.
Meanwhile, The Athletic reported on Sunday that, during a pre-Asian Cup camp in Abu Dhabi, Klinsmann held very intense training sessions. A source with knowledge of the situation, speaking anonymously to protect relationships, said the players had been “run ragged” and that “he absolutely battered them, they were exhausted”.
That was the context for last Monday’s physical altercation, with tensions further raised by the fact that this squad is seen as South Korea’s golden generation of players, including stars from PSG, Bayern and Spurs, plus Wolves’ in-form Hwang.
Lee (18) and Son (7) during South Korea’s Asian Cup group match against Malaysia (Masashi Hara/Getty Images)
The sense that South Korea were wasting their best chance in years for a first Asian Cup since 1960 permeated the mood last Monday, the night before their Jordan defeat.
And, according to insiders, there have been stories of internal issues for some time now inside the national team. On the night in question, while the age-based hierarchy of Korean society is not as strict as it once was, it is still the tradition that it is seen as bad manners for the younger players to get up to leave before the older ones have finished their meals.
Lee said he would be more respectful to the senior players in future in a message posted on his Instagram story on Wednesday: “There was an article about me having a verbal argument with Son ahead of the Asian Cup semi-final.
“I am very sorry to disappoint football fans who are always supporting the South Korea international team.
“I had to follow senior (older) players in the team, but I am sorry that I showed not nice behavior to football fans.
“I apologise to all fans who were disappointed in me.
“I will try to be a better player and person helping senior and older players from now on.”
The majority of South Korean fans are siding with Son and the more experienced players, and Lee is coming in for a lot of criticism for acting this way towards the team’s captain, nine years his senior. There’s also the view that this is more about general dysfunction within the national team set-up than it is about individuals.
It’s too soon to know how it will affect the players’ reputations in the long term, or their desire to carry on playing for their country. Klinsmann said on Sunday that Son would “definitely” keep playing for Korea.
Klinsmann himself is due to hold a meeting with the KFA on Thursday as the fallout from the Asian Cup exit continues. Reports in South Korea suggest that governing body members will push for his resignation during the meeting. The German, whose contract runs for another two-and-a-half years until the 2026 World Cup, will attend virtually as he is now back at home in the US.
South Korea are back in action in just over a month, in a home World Cup qualifier on March 21 against Thailand, where there will presumably need to be the mother of all reconciliation jobs.
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Additional reporting: Jack Pitt-Brooke, Mario Cortegana, Tim Spiers
(Top photo: Koji Watanabe/Getty Images)
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In just his second season at the helm, Curt Cignetti led Indiana to its first national championship.
During the Hoosiers’ title run, Cignetti became known for his demanding coaching style. Indiana opened spring practice Thursday, and incoming transfer wide receiver Nick Marsh got a crash course in what it means to play for Cignetti.
Marsh, who transferred from Michigan State, arrived at practice in gold cleats. After noting Marsh’s productive two-year stint in East Lansing, Cignetti pivoted to the wideout’s footwear.
Nick Marsh (6) of the Michigan State Spartans runs the ball up the field during the first quarter of a game against the Maryland Terrapins at Ford Field Nov. 29, 2025, in Detroit. (Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)
“I didn’t love those gold shoes he came out in today,” Cignetti said. “He learned what getting your a– ripped is all about. I don’t know if that happened to him very often at Michigan State. That was before practice started.”
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Marsh totaled 1,311 receiving yards and nine touchdowns at Michigan State. TCU quarterback Josh Hoover also headlines Indiana’s transfer additions.
An Indiana Hoosiers helmet during a game against the Ball State Cardinals at Lucas Oil Stadium Aug. 31, 2019, in Indianapolis. (Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
Cignetti added that the coaching staff has “more work to do with this group than the first two teams,” noting the group is still learning more about players the team will likely rely on next season.
Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti during the second quarter against the Miami Hurricanes in the 2026 College Football Playoff national championship at Hard Rock Stadium Jan. 19, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
Indiana went 16-0 en route to a thrilling win over Miami in the College Football Playoff national championship in January.
Cignetti framed his callout of Marsh’s cleats as an early message about expectations.
“That was a wake-up call,” Cignetti said of the receiver’s pre-practice cleats. “But he’s really worked hard, done a great job for us.”
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Redondo Union didn’t care that Mira Costa’s volleyball team was ranked No. 1 in California. This was their South Bay rival coming to their gym Thursday night, and anything can happen when a team digs deep and doesn’t fear losing.
The Sea Hawks (14-2) were aggressive from the outset and came away with a 27-25, 21-25, 25-22, 21-25, 15-13 victory.
“Chemistry,” setter Tommy Spalding said about the Sea Hawks’ triumph. He’s one of three players headed to MIT, and all three had big matches.
At one point on back-to-back plays, Carter Mirabal had a block and Vaughan Flaherty followed with a kill off an assist from Spalding. Chemistry.
JR Boice, a Long Beach State commit, was delivering kills, and Cash Essert’s serving and all-around play kept Mira Costa’s Mateo Fuerbringer looking frustrated. The Sea Hawks’ focus was on Fuerbringer, who came alive in the fifth set with six kills, but Redondo was able to come back from an 11-9 deficit.
It was only Mira Costa’s second loss in 25 matches. Redondo Union took over first place in the Bay League.
Baseball
Orange Lutheran 3, Jacksonville (Fla.) Trinity Christian 2: The Lancers advanced to the semifinals of the National High School Invitational in Cary, N.C., behind a walk-off single in the eighth inning by Andrew Felizzari. Brady Murrietta had tied the score with a squeeze bunt in the bottom of the seventh. CJ Weinstein had two doubles for the Lancers.
Venice (Fla.) 12, Harvard-Westlake 0: The Wolverines were limited to three hits at the National High School Invitational in Cary, N.C.
Casteel (Queen Creek, Ariz.) 3, St. John Bosco 2: The Braves suffered their first defeat in North Carolina. Jack Champlin threw five innings and also had two RBIs.
Chatsworth 6, Taft 3: Tony Del Rio Nava threw six innings and had two RBIs in the West Valley League win.
Granada Hills 4, El Camino Real 3: A two-run single by Nicholas Penaranda in the seventh inning keyed a three-run inning for the Highlanders in their West Valley League upset. JJ Saffie had three hits for ECR.
Cleveland 4, Birmingham 3: The Cavaliers pushed across a run in the top of the 10th inning to break a 3-3 tie in the West Valley League win. Joshua Pearlstein finished with three hits, including a home run.
Sun Valley Poly 4, San Fernando 2: Fabian Bravo gave up four hits in 6 2/3 innings for the Parrots, who are tied with Sylmar for first place in the Valley Mission League. Ray Pelayo struck out eight for San Fernando.
Verdugo Hills 15, Kennedy 1: Cutlor Fannon had two doubles and four RBIs in the five-inning win. Anthony Velasquez added two singles and four RBIs.
Westlake 9, Agoura 4: Jaxson Neckien hit a three-run home run to power the Warriors.
Thousand Oaks 7, Calabasas 5: Gavin Berigan, Jeff Adams and Cru Hopkins each had two hits for the Lancers.
Oaks Christian 11, Newbury Park 2: Dane Disney contributed three hits in the Marmonte League win. Carson Sheffer had two doubles and three RBIs.
Santa Monica 12, Simi Valley 4: Ryan Breslo and Johnny Recendez had two RBIs and a triple for Santa Monica. Ravi Chernack had three RBIs.
Dana Hills 7, Corona Santiago 0: Gavin Giese finished with eight strikeouts over six innings and gave up one hit for Dana Hills.
Softball
Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 10, Sierra Canyon 0: Kelsey Luderer contributed three hits and two RBIs while freshman Ainsley Jenkins threw five scoreless innings.
Chaminade 15, Louisville 2: Norah Pettersen had two hits and four RBIs.
Carson 10, San Pedro 0: Atiana Rodriguez finished with three hits, including a double and triple, and three RBIs.
Huntington Beach 6, El Modena 2: Willow Kellen had three hits for the Oilers.
Murrieta Mesa 15, Chaparral 0: It’s a 16-0 start for the Rams. Tatum Wolff hit two home runs.
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The fiancée of Buffalo Sabres star Rasmus Dahlin received a roaring welcome home in her first appearance of the season Wednesday night, months after undergoing a lifesaving transplant after she suffered heart failure during a vacation in France.
Carolina Matovac, 25, was shown on the jumbotron during Wednesday’s game against the Boston Bruins. Fans cheered as she waved, and Dahlin, who was also shown on the screen in a split, cracked a smile at the crowd’s reaction.
Carolina Matovac and Rasmus Dahlin of the Buffalo Sabres pose on the red carpet at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Feb. 1, 2024. (Nicole Osborne/NHLI via Getty Images)
“Welcome home to Carolina Matovac, the fiancée of our captain Rasmus Dahlin,” the arena announcer said. “She is back with us, attending her first game of the season. The Sabrehood loves you, Carolina.”
In an open letter to fans in September, Dahlin shared that Matovac had been feeling ill for several days during their trip, which led to her experiencing “major heart failure.”
“Fortunately, she received CPR on multiple occasions, and up to a couple of hours at a time to keep her alive, which ultimately saved her life. Without her receiving lifesaving CPR, the result would have been unimaginable. It is hard to even think about the worst-case scenario,” he wrote at the time.
Rasmus Dahlin (of the Buffalo Sabres prepares for a faceoff during a game against the New York Rangers at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, N.Y., Oct. 9, 2025. (Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images)
Matovac remained on life support for weeks before receiving the transplant in France.
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In January, Matovac revealed she was pregnant when her heart failed, adding that her unborn child was the reason she went to the hospital initially.
“You will always hold a special place in our hearts as our first baby, even though we never had the chance to meet. Our love for you is endless,” she wrote in a post on Instagram on what was supposed to be her due date.
“Though you didn’t get to experience this world, you played a vital role in ensuring that I could continue to be a part of it.”
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin follows the puck in the first period against the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, on April 1, 2025. (Marc DesRosiers/Imagn Images)
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Despite taking some time to be with Matovac as she recovered in their native Sweden, Dahlin is second on the team with 65 points, and the Sabres are on the cusp of ending an NHL-record 14-season playoff drought.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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