Latest news with #KiSung-yueng
Korea Herald
15 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Court sides with soccer star Ki Sung-yueng in defamation suit over assault allegations
A South Korean court on Wednesday ruled in favor of former national soccer team captain Ki Sung-yueng in a civil defamation lawsuit against two former teammates who had accused him of sexual assault during their elementary school years. The Seoul Central District Court ordered the defendants to pay 100 million won ($72,000) in damages. Ki had sought 500 million won. Still, the ruling marks a victory for Ki, as the court acknowledged that the defendants had defamed him. The allegations first surfaced in February 2021, when the two individuals, who had played alongside Ki on an elementary school soccer team in South Jeolla Province, claimed they were sexually assaulted by Ki and another teammate over a six-month period in 2000. Although the accusers did not mention Ki by name, the descriptions they provided strongly implied he was one of the alleged perpetrators. Ki denied the accusations and responded by filing both a criminal complaint and a civil lawsuit. In August 2023, police closed the criminal defamation case, citing a lack of evidence. Investigators also concluded there was insufficient evidence to support the sexual assault allegations. The civil trial, which began in March 2022, was paused during the criminal investigation and resumed in January 2024.
Scottish Sun
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Ex-Celtic star reveals retirement U-turn after fans sent FUNERAL WREATHS to club amid his bitter feud with manager
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A FORMER Celtic star has found himself at the centre of an almighty storm in his homeland. And it's led to fans of a club sending FUNERAL WREATHS to the training ground as part of a major protest. Sign up for the Celtic newsletter Sign up 4 Ki Sung-yueng is at the centre of a major storm in South Korea Credit: REUTERS 4 The midfielder spent two-and-a-half years with Celtic Credit: Kenny Ramsay - The Sun Glasgow 4 Fans have been left furious with the situation Credit: X Ki Sung-yueng enjoyed a successful two-and-a-half years at Celtic between 2010 and 2012. He won the SPL and a Scottish Cup with the Hoops before moving on to Swansea City in 2012. Celtic signed the former South Korea international from FC Seoul, where he'd impressed during three years in the first team. After spending more than a decade in Europe, Ki made an emotional return to his first club in 2020. The midfielder, now aged 36, has gone on to become a club legend at FC Seoul. But his second spell at the club, which has lasted more than five years, has now come to a very unceremonious end. Shock reports emerged in Korea earlier this week that manager Kim Gi-dong had deemed the influential midfielder surplus to requirements. Ki had missed a chunk of last season through injury, but even when fit and available again, hadn't been used by Kim. Amid swirling rumours, FC Seoul initially DENIED that Ki, who also played for Newcastle and Sunderland, was going to be leaving the club. But fans were absolutely livid at the prospect of Ki - a huge fans' favourite - leaving the club. The diggers move in as Celtic Park pitch is dug up And they made their feelings clear. Pictures from Korean outlets Nate Sports and Yonhap News TV show the dramatic lengths the FC Seoul supporters went to get their point across. A truck with a large TV monitor on its back was driven to the headquarters of GS Group, the company that owns the club. The monitor displayed several messages blasting the club and its manager. One of the messages simply read: "Kim Gi-dong get out!" There was an even MORE dramatic protest at the club's training facility. Images show several FUNERAL WREATHS were outside the training centre, with rows of them sent by raging fans. Last night, the supporters' worst fears were realised when FC Seoul confirmed that Ki had left. The club, however, insisted that it would be a 'temporary separation' and he will have a retirement ceremony at the club once he decides to call it quits. FC Seoul also referred to Ki as an 'eternal legend.' They said that they had allowed Ki to leave because he had "confirmed that he had no opportunity in the Seoul team management plan for this season" and had "requested to go to a team where he could play more in order to finish the remainder of his career with meaning." Ki himself has now taken to social media with a lengthy statement sharing his side of the dramatic developments. He revealed that after being informed by boss Kim that he wouldn't be in his plans, he'd made the decision to retire. However, after being persuaded by those close to him, he made a dramatic U-TURN to keep on playing. Ki has now subsequently signed for Pohang Steelers. On Instagram, he said: "I am writing this with a heavy and apologetic heart, thinking of the fans who support me. "Recently, I heard from the manager that I was not in the team's future plans. I thought it was time for me to retire, so I told the manager that I would retire, and he said he would respect my wishes. "However, my family and the football players I trust and rely on dissuaded me, saying that I could still do more as a player, and I took a few days to calmly look at myself in confusion. "And I realised that I could still play more and that I had a strong desire to play more. It was really painful and difficult for me as a player to suppress this desire to play even if I only played for a few minutes. "Of course, as a veteran, I thought deeply about whether this was my greed. However, when I focused on my feelings, I thought that 'I want to play and I can play' might be selfish, but it was my most honest feeling. "I also thought that rather than ending my last days as a player like this, if I had the chance, I would do my best on the field and retire in a good way, which would be a way to repay the fans. 4 "When I told the club about my feelings and waited for a team that needed me, Pohang coach Park Tae-ha was the first to contact me and I decided to transfer. It must have been a difficult decision, but I am very grateful to coach Park Tae-ha for embracing me. "I know very well that you will be very surprised by the sudden news and that it will be difficult to accept. When I returned to Korea, I never imagined playing in a place other than Seoul, so this situation is still unfamiliar to me. When I think of the Seoul fans, my heart aches and I still can't sleep well. I feel sorry that this situation came about because of my shortcomings. "It was a very difficult time for me to make this decision. Please understand my decision and cheer me on so that I can devote my remaining time as a soccer player and play soccer happily. "FC Seoul is my hometown. It is also my pride. I was obsessed with this team so much that I wonder if there is anyone who loves this team as much as I do, and I wanted to burn my last here, and I really loved it. "The colleagues I've worked with and the FC Seoul fans have been and are so precious to me that I can't forget them. Your love, which has always raised me up with deep affection and support, has always touched me. "I promise that my feelings for you will never change and I will keep you in my heart forever. Please continue to support our players and be their strength! "I'm so sorry to greet you with this news. Thank you. I love you." Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Korea Herald
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Korea Herald
FC Seoul to release veteran midfielder Ki Sung-yueng
FC Seoul announced Wednesday they will release veteran midfielder Ki Sung-yueng, granting their former captain his wish to play elsewhere in the top South Korean football league. "We have decided to pause our relationship with Ki Sung-yueng, our franchise star and eternal captain," FC Seoul said in a statement. "After confirming that he is no longer part of our club's plans, Ki Sung-yueng asked to be moved to another club where he can play more and have a meaningful end to his career. We decided to accept that." The K League 1 club insisted that they will not cut ties with Ki forever and said they will organize a retirement ceremony for the 36-year-old when he calls it a career. "We both agreed that the team will do its best to support his pursuit of a new career in coaching after his playing days are over," the club added. "We will reserve our utmost respect for Ki that he deserves as a legend for FC Seoul and ensure that he will be respected by many others." Ki made his professional debut with FC Seoul in 2006, and played for them until 2009 before leaving for Celtic in Scotland. It began an 11-year career in Europe for Ki, who later played for Swansea City, Sunderland, Newcastle United and Mallorca before rejoining FC Seoul in 2020. Ki had been losing his playing time since new head coach Kim Gi-dong took over in 2024. Ki has only played in eight out of 20 matches this season, even though he has resumed training after suffering a hamstring injury. Ki is believed to be nearing a move to Pohang Steelers. FC Seoul and Pohang will square off Sunday at Seoul World Cup Stadium. (Yonhap)
