Coach Shin Tae-yong has been banned from coaching in Korea by the Korea Football Association (KFA) following a controversial incident last year where he slapped a player's cheek. The decision, handed down by the KFA Disciplinary Committee in early July, comes after a recommendation for strict sanctions from the Sports Ethics Center under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The ban's duration remains undisclosed, though initial reports suggest it could range from 10 years to a permanent suspension.
The incident occurred in August 2025, shortly after Shin Tae-yong took over as manager of Ulsan HD, succeeding Kim Pan-gon. On his first day, Shin was seen greeting players, then lightly tapping the cheek of Jung Seung-hyun, a 31-year-old center-back who had previously played under Shin when he coached the Korean national team.
Ulsan HD dismissed Shin, 55, just 65 days later. While poor team performance was cited, Korean media also reported communication issues and coaching disagreements between Shin and his players. A video of Shin tapping Jung Seung-hyun subsequently leaked, and the center-back accused him of assault. "If the victim feels it is an assault, then it is an assault, regardless of the perpetrator's intent," Jung publicly stated.
Shin, currently managing Persija Jakarta in Indonesia under a three-year contract until June 2029, previously stated that the gesture was merely an expression of joy upon reuniting with a former player. "It was an expression of closeness. If he felt it was an assault, I apologize. However, if there was actual assault or verbal abuse, I would not take on any coaching position in the future," Shin said, denying the accusations.
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Coach Shin Tae-yong at the headquarters of Indonesia's Persija Jakarta club on 25/6. Photo: Persija |
Coach Shin Tae-yong at the headquarters of Indonesia's Persija Jakarta club on 25/6. Photo: Persija
Public opinion in Korea remains divided on the intent and severity of the former national team coach's actions from 2017 to 2018. Some argue the tap was too light to be considered assault, noting no visible injury to the center-back's cheek. Others viewed it as a normal interaction between a coach and close players. However, many disagreed. One individual argued, "The main issue is the nature of the act, not its degree. We must consider the humiliation Jung Seung-hyun felt in front of his teammates. A coach who uses violence should not be allowed to lead any team."
The KFA did not disclose details of the disciplinary action, citing personal information privacy. However, Chanel A, the first news channel to report on the incident, indicated that "the suspension of coaching qualification could last up to 10 years or permanently." Coach Shin, born in 1970, has responded to the penalty, stating his intention to bear the consequences but also considering an appeal. "There are many aspects that I feel are unfair. I want to tell the truth, but if I speak out, my players might be hurt. The atmosphere in Korean football is also not good," he commented.
Trung Thu (according to Yonhap, Channel A)
