Two arrested after Tottenham captain Son Heung-min allegedly blackmailed with fake pregnancy claim
"The police are currently investigating, so we will let you know the results as soon as they are available," his agency Son & Football Limited said in a statement.
"We'd like to tell you that Son Heung-min is clearly the victim of this incident."
Police had arrested a woman in her 20s and a man in his 40s, and were investigating allegations they tried to extort money from Son with the fake pregnancy claim, local media reported on Thursday, citing police.
The Seoul Gangnam Police Station did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the reports.
Son, 32 is hugely popular in South Korea, not only for his success on the pitch in England's Premier League but also for his dedication to the country's national team as its captain.
The forward returned after a month out of action with a foot injury for Spurs in Sunday's defeat to Crystal Palace, and will hope to lead them to a long-awaited trophy in the Europa League final against Manchester United next week.
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The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Mum wins £11k payout from Premier League star who ‘helped his brother dodge child support payments to daughter, two'
A MUM has won an £11,000 payout from a Premier League star accused of helping his brother dodge child support payments for his young daughter, she claims. Advertisement 5 Nadia Messaoud during a protest outside Chelsea's Stamford Bridge stadium Credit: Nadia Messaoud 5 Nadia has won an £11,000 payout from the Premier League star Credit: PP. 5 Tosin Adarabioyo allegedly funds older brother Fisayo's extravagant lifestyle Credit: Shutterstock Editorial The Sun snapped photos of flashy Fisayo, 30, a former pro-footballer, carrying a £3,140 Bottega Veneta leather briefcase. But despite his millionaire lifestyle, Fisayo has yet to pay a penny towards his two-year-old daughter Anara's upbringing after telling the Child Maintenance Service he's skint, it is claimed. Anara's struggling mum Nadia Messaoud, 41, who dated Fisayo for a year before they split in 2022, said she was forced to take action after being ignored. She took civil action against Chelsea defender Tosin for funding his brother while allegedly knowing of his sibling's obligations. Advertisement Legal documents relating to the civil action, seen by The Sun, state: 'The defendant (Tosin) has been knowingly providing his older brother, Fisayo Adarabioyo, with an income that is not being declared to HMRC or the child maintenance service. 'This is with the intention to obstruct my daughter's legal right to obtain child maintenance. 'My child has for the last three years been awarded the nil level of CMS.' Nadia also alleged that as well as thousands of pounds a month in cash income, Tosin also provides his brother with a credit card to spend on. Advertisement Most read in Football According to Land Registry documents, Tosin, 27, thought to be on £120,000 a week at Chelsea, owns the Cheshire mansion in which Fisayo lives. The Department of Work and Pensions has awarded unemployed Fisayo a "nil rate" on child support for the past three years because he claims he does not earn enough to pay. Nadia staged a protest outside Chelsea's Stamford Bridge stadium last month to raise awareness around her cause. She wore a vest top and held a sign both of which said: 'TOSIN #4 Women Matter, Children Matter, D.A (Domestic Abuse) survivors matter.' Advertisement She is backed by domestic abuse charity Women's Aid. Fisayo was convicted of harassment without violence in 2022 after turning up at Nadia's terraced home in Cheshire, banging on her door and leaving her terrified. He also bombarded her with texts, saying he hoped she miscarried the baby and threatened to kill her. After allegedly failing to respond to Nadia's legal claim, his brother Tosin has been ordered by the court to pay her £11,000. Advertisement However, Tosin's legal team told The Sun the order was a "default judgement" made in error "on the part of the court". Nadia said: "I've not received a penny from Fisayo to help with our daughter, while he's living a footballer's lifestyle thanks to his Chelsea playing brother. "I've been rebuffed at every opportunity which is why I decided to take legal action against both of them. "All I ever wanted was a reasonable level of financial support but Fisayo has claimed poverty. Now I know the truth. Advertisement "As a Premier League player Tosin is supposed to be a role model, but his actions have essentially blocked my daughter from receiving the financial support she's entitled to by law." Tosin's lawyers' statement added: "The Order arises from a default judgement which has been entered by the Court in a claim issued by Nadia Messaoud against our client ('the Claim'). Unfortunately, it would appear that our client's strike out application has not been properly processed by the Court and it has therefore allowed automatic default judgement to be entered in favour of Ms Messaoud. "This is a very serious administrative failing on the Court's part and one which we are addressing with the Court on our client's behalf. Advertisement Inappropriately, she made an application for judgement in default, despite being served with that application. "Your summary is not a fair and accurate report of anything that has taken place in the Court proceedings." They added that as well as "chasing" the court, they have also made an application on their client's behalf "to have the default judgement order set aside". "In summary therefore, the Order which you have seen is subject to an active challenge, and should never have been issued by the Court in the first place." Advertisement They said the claim is a "pattern of behaviour" by Ms Messaoud "to exert unwanted pressure on our client to provide further funding to her". Read more on the Irish Sun "Our client has no relationship with Ms Messaoud and owes no legal or other duties or obligations to her," the statement adds. The Sun has also contacted Fisayo's lawyer and Chelsea for comment. 5 Fisayo Adarabioyo seen in January this year carrying a £3,140 Bottega Veneta leather briefcase Credit: PP. Advertisement 5 Fisayo Adarabioyo playing for Altrincham in 2020 Credit: Getty
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- The Irish Sun
David Coote produced an admirable act of humility as picture of shamed ref working as Evri delivery driver went viral
BIZARRELY, David Coote's former career as a Premier League referee will stand him in good stead as a delivery driver. He'll be dealing with two yellows every working day, just as before. 2 Former Premier League referee David Coote has taken on a new career as an Evri delivery driver 2 Coote fell from grace after a video leaked showing him ranting against Jurgen Klopp Credit: PA Only instead of cards, it's those two thick, emulsioned lines by the roadside where he What a come-down for the man who took charge of a Wembley final involving Equally, what an admirable act of humility and courage by someone who brought shame upon himself and his profession but, as he says so himself, 'is trying to move forwards and regain a sense of purpose and responsibility'. When one of football's most promising officials was captured on video, slurring his way through a Read More on Football But as this fascinating story unfolds, By labelling Klopp a German c*** and But maybe he did so as a release from the relentless pressure heaped upon him as a referee at the top level of our national game. At first Coote appears as a p****d-up prima donna, showing off in what he believed was the assured privacy of intimate surroundings with friends, having a pop at Liverpool's manager because he could. Most read in Football CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS It's some fall from officiating the 2023 Carabao Cup final to haring around his home county of Nottinghamshire dropping off parcels part-time for minimum or living wage. But having been sacked by his paymasters at the PGMOL, the fact he is not too proud to take any job to get back on his feet suggests a person ready to pay their penance. Shamed Ref David Coote EXCLUSIVE on death threats, coke battle & coming out | The Sun It's not just the animated reaction of Klopp that is to blame. There are 20 unexploded bombs like him managing in the Premier League because they are under enormous pressure, too. Klopp's heated exchange at Coote after Liverpool did not get a penalty in a 1-1 draw with Burnley is just one example of the dozens that litter every season. Every decision referees make is under more scrutiny than ever before. Whether that's the fault of TV's ever intrusive coverage or that there is silly money involved in men's football today is irrelevant. It's how life is. I imagine Thomas Bramall, the latest referee to be walking around with a target on his back for blowing his whistle too quickly in Aston Villa's final-day defeat at Man Utd is starting to understand the reality of life as a top-class ref. Reality of life as a top-class ref The intricacies of his mistake are too complicated to explain in one column but it's fair to say he cocked up. In their defence, Villa were largely restrained in their vocal reaction despite lodging a formal complaint, as is their right. The wider criticism has been astonishing and whether justified or not, young referee Bramall is being painted a pretty grim picture of what's in store if he stays in his job. It's patently obvious by what's happened to Coote that it's an alarmingly quick process to plummet from the heights of running a showpiece final in front of 90,000 fans to becoming a delivery boy. But while it's tempting to feel sorry for him, we should not. We should instead give credit to a bloke who made a mistake and is now trying to put it behind him without crying out for pity. And perhaps reflect on the foundations of fury that can make referees crumble so spectacularly as he did. Besides, dealing with frothing managers day in, day out who feel totally wronged by even the slightest thing that goes against them is actually the perfect training for becoming a white van man. Try pulling out on him at a T-junction. ************ MILLIE BRIGHT'S shock withdrawal from the Euro 2025 squad reminds of one thing. Women look after themselves better than men, physically and mentally. They tend to be braver than men too when it comes to knowing their limits. It takes courage to pull out of an international tournament — especially when England are defending their European crown. The 31-year-old Chelsea defender admits she had to fight off her ego to make the call. That is something men rarely do enough of, overcome primeval urges and make a decision in favour of their own well-being at the top level of sport. Too many would lose that battle with their own psyche. Pull out and you are still considered a loser among the boys. Bright is a winner for thinking of things more important than football. **************** INGESTING biometric tablets to record things like stress levels from the inside is both fascinating and horrifying. England's players have been doing this under boss Thomas Tuchel's instruction as they prepare for Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Andorra. Now, I have no idea if these tablets are single-use, and I don't really want to ask anyone at the Football Association for the details either. But if not, just picture the scene 24 hours after swallowing — when what goes in must come out. Lots of Premier League stars peering down between hairy legs on the loo. And who on earth has the job of washing them? Or maybe each player has his own, complete with initials — like 'HK' for Harry Kane — to avoid unpleasant mix-ups. Yuk. ******** IN the final scene of The Empire Strikes Back, the rebel fleet disperses as Luke Skywalker and pals head for different galaxies at the speed of light. The break-up of Bournemouth's over-achieving squad this summer has a similar ring to it. First Dean Huijsen heads to Real Madrid, now Milos Kerkez looks bound for Liverpool. Newcastle are eyeing Dango Ouattara. Pretty soon the gallant band of brothers — which beat Arsenal (twice) and Nottingham Forest, also coming close to European qualification — will be splintered across the football cosmos, leaving Cherries manager Andoni Iraola standing alone like Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Irish Daily Mirror
7 days ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Shamed Premier League referee's surprising new job after sacking
Ex-Premier League referee David Coote has been seen delivering parcels for Evri, following his dismissal by the PGMOL in December. The-42 year-old faced repercussions after a clip emerged online showing him criticising Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp. Coote was subsequently slapped with a 16-month UEFA suspension from refereeing, which is set to expire in June 2026. Another video purportedly showing Coote inhaling white powder also circulated; this incident is alleged to have occurred during the 2024 European Championships, where he was on duty. Currently barred from officiating, Coote has turned to courier work close to his Newark residence. A couple recently got quite the surprise when they spotted the former referee on their Ring doorbell, delivering a package to their doorstep. He's employed by a delivery company near his Nottinghamshire home and is seeking to rebuild his life. "I want to get on with my life," he expressed, according to the Sun. "I'm trying to move forwards and regain a sense of responsibility and purpose. The job is keeping me busy and occupied, it's not a new long-term career," reports the Mirror. During his time as an official, Coote took charge of 112 matches in the Premier League and 143 in the Championship. He also refereed the Carabao Cup final at Wembley between Manchester United and Newcastle in 2023. However, he's set for at least another year away from the sport following UEFA's decision in February. Earlier this year, he opened up about his struggles, saying, "This has been one of the most difficult periods of my life. "I take full responsibility for my actions, which fell way below what was expected of me. I am truly sorry for any offence caused by my actions and for the negative spotlight it put on the game that I love. "I hope people will understand that they were private moments taken during very low times in my life. They do not reflect who I am today or what I think. "My focus now is on continuing to prioritise my mental health and wellbeing. I hope that my experiences, both on and off the field, can be utilised in football at some point in the future. "Finally, I want to thank everyone who has supported me recently, in particular my family, friends, former colleagues, PGMOL and Howard Webb, and countless people across football. "Special thanks also to the many strangers who have reached out with words of encouragement and support, I have appreciated it more than I can properly express."
