SEOUL, South Korea — The Korea Football Association (KFA) announced on Friday that the lifetime ban imposed on former South Korean international player Son Jun-ho by Chinese authorities will not be enforced globally. The Chinese Football Association had sought to extend this punishment internationally, but FIFA has informed Korean soccer officials that the request has been denied.

This decision means that the ban on Son is enforceable solely within China. The KFA stated, “The path is now open for Son to sign with a team in South Korea’s K League or anywhere in the world other than China.” Typically, when a player is found guilty of match-fixing, they face restrictions in pursuing their career, but FIFA’s regulations allow for such requests to be declined.

For a global application of the ban, FIFA’s disciplinary judges must agree to certain criteria, such as ensuring that the banned individual was “cited properly” and afforded the chance to defend themselves.

Son, who was named the K League MVP in 2020, was accused of being involved in match-fixing while playing for the four-time champions Shandong Taishan in May 2023. The midfielder has made 20 appearances for the national team and was detained for ten months before being released from custody.

The 32-year-old has emphatically denied the allegations, stating at a press conference in September, “I never took part in match-fixing. The only evidence they have is my false confession made under coercion. I was threatened that if I didn’t accept the charges, my wife would be arrested and investigated, too.” However, Son did acknowledge receiving 200,000 yuan (approximately $27,610) from a close friend in China, but he maintains that this transaction had no relation to match-fixing activities.

In June 2024, Son signed with South Korea’s top-flight club Suwon FC, but his contract was terminated just three months later after the ban was issued by the CFA. Currently, he is without a club and is likely seeking new opportunities as the 2025 K-League season approaches in February.

During the 2022 World Cup held in Qatar, Son participated as a substitute in three of South Korea’s four matches, including a notable 4-1 defeat to Brazil in the round of 16.