Former South Korean national football team coach Hong Myung-bo's resignation has drawn attention to a cryptic post by JTBC commentator Lee Hwang-jae.
On June 29, Lee shared a thought-provoking message on his Instagram story. He stated, "We need to examine why Lee Jae-sung, who has consistently been on the starting roster, was excluded and why he did not come on as a substitute despite the team trailing. This is where the tangled threads begin."
As the post circulated, football fans offered various interpretations.
One user claimed, "Since yesterday, rumors have been circulating in football communities that the exclusions of Son Heung-min and Lee Jae-sung from the starting lineup against South Africa are due to a conflict with the coach."
Another user noted, "Since yesterday, there have been rumors that Lee Jae-sung and Son Heung-min were excluded after questioning the coach's tactics. Is there still no confirmation on these related rumors?"
Some fans speculated based on Lee Jae-sung's personality. One user remarked, "If Lee Jae-sung was direct enough to speak to the coach, wouldn't that indicate a serious situation? While it would be understandable for players like Hwang In-beom or Kim Min-jae, considering Lee Jae-sung's usual demeanor, if he stepped up, it’s possible he represented the team alongside Son Heung-min to convey their opinions."
Conversely, there were concerns about the spread of unverified speculation.
Some users urged, "I hope we can refrain from conspiracy theories without solid evidence," and added, "If it is true, it will eventually come to light, but we should not jump to conclusions based solely on speculation."
However, others pointed out, "Given the various controversies surrounding the national team’s management, it’s hard to dismiss the possibility entirely," leading to ongoing debates.
Previously, Hong Myung-bo resigned from his position as head coach following the national team's elimination from the group stage of the 2026 North American World Cup. Amid ongoing criticism regarding tactics, player selection, and the operations of the Korea Football Association, suspicions about the internal atmosphere of the team have now emerged.
As of now, neither the Korea Football Association, Hong Myung-bo, nor the players have officially addressed claims that the exclusions of Son Heung-min and Lee Jae-sung were due to internal conflict. Additionally, the rumors of discord circulating online have not been objectively confirmed.
Nonetheless, as various allegations continue to surface regarding the Korea Football Association, fans' distrust in South Korean football remains unresolved.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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