South Korean law enforcement has detained two individuals connected to the alleged blackmail of Tottenham Hotspur’s captain and soccer icon Son Heung-min, after a woman threatened him regarding a pregnancy allegation.
This incident took place during the Premier League game between Chelsea FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Stamford Bridge in London on April 3.
Son, who is 32 years old, lodged a police report against both the woman and a man for blackmail, as well as for threatening to disseminate “false information,” as stated by his agency, Son & Football Limited, on Thursday.
“We will pursue rigorous legal measures without exception to hold accountable those who have made blackmail threats based on clearly false statements,” the agency asserted in a statement published on its website.
The Gangnam Police Station in southern Seoul announced that they are investigating a woman in her 20s and a man in his 40s for attempted extortion following the complaint filed by Son last week, according to Yonhap.
As per police reports, the woman reportedly contacted Son last June, alleging she was expecting his child and demanded financial compensation for her silence.
She supposedly sent him an ultrasound image and was paid 300 million Korean Won ($215,180), the news agency reported.
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The man, identified as someone familiar with the woman, also reportedly attempted to extort Son in March, requesting 70 million Korean Won ($50,200), according to Yonhap.
It was reported that he did not receive any financial payment.
Authorities apprehended the woman on Wednesday evening for blackmail and the man for attempted blackmail.
Police conducted searches at their residences and confiscated their mobile devices for ongoing investigation, as reported by Yonhap.
“Son Heung-min is clearly a victim in this case,” stated the agency representing the soccer player.
“We sincerely apologize once again for causing concern among Son Heung-min’s supporters with such a scandalous matter,” the agency mentioned.
Son enjoys immense popularity in South Korea and has established himself as one of the best Asian soccer players in history.