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Representatives for Lee Kang-in have warned of legal action over rumors alleging discord within the South Korean national football team that have recently been circulating online. The photo shows Lee reacting in disappointment after a shot went wide during an international friendly between South Korea and Venezuela held at Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium on the 2nd. / Yonhap

Representatives for Lee Kang-in (25, Atlético Madrid) and the Korea Football Association (KFA) have warned of legal action over rumors alleging internal discord within the South Korean national football team, which have recently been spreading across online platforms.

In an official statement released on the 13th, Lee's management agency, The Black Label, stated, "We have confirmed that false and unsubstantiated claims regarding Lee Kang-in are spreading indiscriminately online," emphasizing, "The series of claims currently being discussed are entirely unrelated to Lee Kang-in and are completely groundless." The agency added, "We are currently collecting evidence regarding posts and comments that constitute defamation and the dissemination of false information, and we will pursue necessary legal action depending on the severity of each case."

Recently, during the national team's four-match international window in September and October, joint retirement rumors surfaced involving key players born in 1996—including Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), Hwang In-beom (Porto), and Hwang Hee-chan (30, Schalke 04). Amid reports of disharmony leaking from the squad, unverified allegations have proliferated online claiming that Lee was also involved in the team friction.

Meanwhile, the KFA also released a statement that day addressed to "fans who love and support Korean football," stressing, "We are witnessing ongoing instances where internal squad friction is treated as an established fact based on fragmented interpretations of routine training clips or everyday moments, false stock market-style rumors are spread, and players are mocked and defamed through deepfake videos. Furthermore, the level of attacks has crossed the line, with malicious commenters invading players' personal social media and club accounts to launch personal attacks or demand their removal from the squad." The association underlined, "In particular, we will take strict action against those who unlawfully use videos and photographs that are the intellectual property of the Korea Football Association to circulate false and distorted information for illicit profit."

The KFA added, "We deeply recognize the association's role and responsibility in providing full support so that the squad can concentrate entirely on matches," pledging, "We will do our utmost to ensure optimal support so that the players can deliver their best performances."

                                                                                                           Cho Seong-jun