Uzbekistan apologizes to Korea for violent conduct

The Uzbekistan Football Federation made an official apology to the Korean Football Association on its players’ beating of Korean players that occurred at the King’s Cub championship in Thailand.

According to the KFA on Tuesday, the UFF sent an official letter, reading, “We are making sincere apology for the incident that happened at the King’s Cup in Thailand on Sunday. The UFF and their teams will give stern punishment to the players involved.” Seeking understanding from the KFA, the UFF added it hopes that friendly relationship between the two organizations will continue in the future. Earlier, the entire coaching staff including its coach of Uzbekistan, as well as Toshirion Shamsidinov who had beaten Shim Sang-min in the face, came to the hotel where the Korean team was staying and made an apology, and the UFF repatriated the Uzbek player to its country.

The King’s Cup organizing committee also held a disciplinary committee on Monday, and decided to levy Shamshidinov suspension in the remaining two games.

Meanwhile, the UFF made an announcement on its website suggesting that Uzbekistan ill hold an exhibition match with Korea in Seoul on March 27. But the KFA said “It is true that we are discussing about the match, but we judged it is premature to announce because details need to be coordinated.”