Lee Kang-in camp threatens legal action over Son claims; KFA warns

📰 With the Korea squad row turning into fake 'Son bullying' stories, Lee Kang-in's camp threatened legal action and the KFA issued a statement urging restraint. 📌 Key points ⚖️ Lee's agency called the bullying claims baseless and warned of legal action. 📢 The KFA issued a separate letter to fans on 13 October. 🎭 The KFA highlighted deepfake videos and unfounded rumours. 📱 It asked people to stop targeting players' and clubs' social media. 🗑️ Some YouTube Shorts were reportedly deleted after the legal warning. 📝 What happened 🔥 After the 6 October win over Uzbekistan, reports said 1996-born players Kim Min-jae, Hwang In-beom and Hwang Hee-chan had considered quitting the national team; all three said they had no intention of leaving. Some YouTube channels and social media accounts then claimed Lee Kang-in had joined the '96 group' in freezing out Son Heung-min and pushing for a change of captain. No concrete evidence has emerged. ⚖️ Lee's management agency The Black Label said on 13 October that false content about him was spreading unchecked online and called it baseless. It is gathering posts and comments amounting to defamation and will take legal steps where needed. Lee's social media had been flooded with abuse demanding he quit the national team. 📢 The KFA published a 'letter to the fans who love and support Korean football' the same day. It voiced deep concern at unverified information and speculation, including ordinary training footage being read as proof of discord and deepfake videos mocking players, and earnestly asked for restraint. 🛡️ The KFA stressed every squad member deserves respect and that differences of opinion should not be read as factions or bullying. It said it would respond firmly to anyone using its videos and photos without permission to profit from false information. 📊 By the numbers • Trigger: dressing-room talks after the 2-0 win over Uzbekistan on 6 October • Retirement claims: three 1996-born players, all denied • According to SPOTV News, a video claiming Kim wanted Son removed passed 1.6 million views 🔭 Why it matters With the KFA and a player's camp responding on the same day, the row has shifted into a fight against fake news. What was said in the '96 group' talks has still not been made public. Roberto Moreno's side meet again for two friendlies in November, with opponents and venues yet to be decided.