Lee Chung-yong fined for remarks on coach
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By Baek Byung-yeul
Korean midfielder Lee Chung-yong of Crystal Palace FC missed his team’s English Premier League match against Stoke FC, Sunday (KST), apparently signaling that it is time for Lee to say goodbye.
With Dwight Gayle scoring twice, Crystal Palace secured their 11th win but only the second in 20 league games at Selhurst Park in London, succeeding to avoid relegation.
Lee Chung-yong
Though Allen Pardew put Bakari Sako, Emmanueul Adebayor, Jordon Mutch and Fraizer Campbell remained on the bench as substitutes, Lee who has been fined recently for his comments about his coach wasn't included on the squad.
In a recent interview with Korean media at the end of last month, Lee made comments on Pardew, saying the coach was too hot tempered in matches so he would forget how many substitutions he had made during a match.
The news was translated to English and Pardew accepted Lee’s explanation that some of his comments had been lost in translation but his team had decided to fine him.
“He made an error. He said it got lost in translation, that can happen and I’ve had it before.
“But some of it isn't lost in translation, though, and he'll get a fine for that,” said Pardew.
Though the exact amount of the fine was not revealed, the Daily Mail reported that it was around 30,000 pounds ($43,291), a week’s wages.
The match against Stoke was the first one after Lee received the fine. Lee, who has seen just four starts this season, has played 16 matches of the team’s 45 and scored two goals.
Lee, who has represented his country at the past two World Cups, joined the London-based club in the 2014 to 15 season after making 195 appearances for Bolton Wanderers FC from 2009 to 10.