South Korea striker, Hwang Ui-jo, has been suspended over a police investigation into allegations he illegally filmed an ex-girlfriend.
The player’s suspension comes ahead of the Asian Cup scheduled to commence on January 12, 2024.
The Norwich City forward is accused of filming a sexual encounter with his former partner on his phone without consent.
He, however, denied the allegation.
Hwang played for South Korea in two World Cup qualifiers this month, scoring a penalty against Singapore, but the Korea Football Association (KFA), on Tuesday, suspended him pending the outcome of police investigations.
The 31-year-old player remains able to play for English second-tier club Norwich and scored in a 3-2 defeat at Watford on Tuesday.
READ ALSO: Panama footballer, Gilberto Hernandez, shot dead
“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”.
Lee said: “Considering the fact that the player is being investigated as a suspect, it is difficult for him to carry out normal national team activities.
“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, who is on loan at Norwich from Nottingham Forest, has scored 19 goals in 62 appearances for South Korea.
Coach Jurgen Klinsmann, in a statement issued by the KFA, said: “I fully understand the current situation and will respect the decision of the Korea Football Association.”
Klinsmann picked Hwang for recent World Cup qualifying wins over Singapore and China, after the police had begun their probe, and defended his decision at the time.
“There is always speculation. Until there’s nothing proven… I don’t believe it,” the German World Cup winner said after returning from the 3-0 win over China in Shenzhen last week.
The Asian Cup kicks off in Qatar on January 12, with South Korea opening their campaign against Bahrain three days later.
- Tinubu appoints Wike’s ally as River Basin Authority MD - May 9, 2024
- FCT-IRS seals school, hotel, others in Abuja over tax evasion - May 9, 2024
- Bricklayer jailed for stealing 2 ceiling fans - May 9, 2024
