By Kim Jae-won
Staff Reporter
Lee Chun-soo has suddenly left the Chunnam Dragons after refusing to play in a game on Saturday. The Gwangyang, South Jeolla Province-based football club announced that it had released ‥Lee after a directors' meeting, Monday.
It is reported that Dragons manager Park Hang-seo ordered Lee to play in a K-League match with Pohang Steelers, Saturday, but Lee declined, citing an injured right groin. Park accepted Lee's plea and told him to join a second division club, but Lee instead quit the club without any notice.
``I dropped by his room, but it was vacant. I think he did not want to play against Pohang,'' a Dragons official said.
Park, who invited Lee to join the club last February, showed his frustration with the Lee situation.``The guy causes me a lot of stress. I will reset the team to be ready for the games.''
Lee said Sunday night in Seoul that he decided to leave the Dragons because the club crushed his pride. ``The club did not respect me at all. They forced me to pay the penalty fee for breaking the contract. I am not responsible for that because I did not sign a contract with the condition. My agent signed it, so he should take the responsibility.``I suggest Dragons uncover the contract to make it clear.''
Dragons fans showed disappointment with the former national team forward's behavior.