South Korea’s striker, Hwang Ui-jo, has been suspended from the national team seven weeks prior to the Asian Cup due to an ongoing police investigation regarding allegations of illegally filming his ex-girlfriend.
The Norwich City forward is accused of recording a sexual encounter with his former partner on his phone without her consent, although he denies the accusation.
Despite his suspension from the South Korean team by the Korea Football Association pending the outcome of the police investigations, the 31-year-old remains eligible to play for his English second-tier club, Norwich.
He recently scored in a match against Watford, despite Norwich’s 3-2 defeat.
“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, currently on loan at Norwich from Nottingham Forest, has netted 19 goals across 62 matches while playing 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 selected Hwang for the recent World Cup qualifying victories against Singapore and China, even after the police had initiated their investigation, and stood by his choice when questioned.
“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.”
