South Korea have suspended one of their players following allegations he made an illegal sex tape.
Hwang Ui-jo, who joined Norwich on loan from Nottingham Forest in September, has been suspended by his national side while the claims are investigated.
The 31-year-old, who denies the allegation, will not be selected by South Korea pending a police inquiry into the matter.
A statement from the Korea Football Association’s ethics committee confirmed Hwang’s suspension.
“We have decided not to select Hwang Ui-jo for the national team until a clear conclusion is reached on the facts,” it read (via The Sun).
Lee Youn-nam, head of the Korean FA’s ethics committee, added: “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 could now miss the Asian Cup, which gets underway on January 12 in Qatar.
South Korea’s first game is against Bahrain on January 15 before games against Bahrain (January 20) and Malaysia (January 25).
South Korea manager Jurgen Klinsmann said he would accept the decision to suspend Hwang ahead of the tournament.
“I fully understand the current situation and will respect the decision of the Korea Football Association,” said the former Germany international.
Hwang is still eligible to play for Norwich and he scored for the Canaries in their 3-2 loss to Watford on Tuesday.
They next face Bristol City away from home on Sunday before hosting Preston the following Saturday
Nottingham Forest signed Hwang from Bordeaux in 2022 but is yet to make a senior appearance for the club.
Forest sent him out on loan to Olympiacos and FC Seoul before his move to Norwich.
He has since made 14 appearances for the Championship, scoring three times.
