Story
The PBA (President Youngsoo Kim) held a reward and punishment committee on the 26th to decide and notify Lee Hong-gi, who violated the rules for unsignificant acts on and off the field, including verbal abuse and abusive language during the game, of suspension for the rest of the season and suspension for all tournaments in the next season.
Lee Hong-ki was at the center of controversy when he was broadcast in the round of 128 of the season's 8th tour "Welcome Savings Bank PBA Championship" on the 6th, pointing his finger at his opponent Oh Sung-wook (NH Nonghyup Card) and swearing loudly.
Lee Hong-ki, who felt an abnormality in the grip during the round of 128 match against Oh Sung-wook at the time, quickly dismantled the grip while Oh Sung-wook hit the ball. Oh Sung-wook, who thought it was a bit annoying and interfered with the concentration of the game, immediately conveyed his complaint to the referee.
In response, Lee Hong-ki raised one hand and apologized to Oh Sung-wook and the referee.
However, the incident escalated further afterwards. With a 9-6 lead in 14 innings in the first set, Lee Hong-ki collapsed on the table, hit the ball, and stood up immediately and verbally attacked Oh. Then, the referee immediately approached him and restrained him.
Later, Lee Hong-ki explained, "Even though I apologized, Oh Sung-wook smiled like he was laughing at me, and I said something because I was angry at the thought of being ignored as a senior."
The image was broadcast live on YouTube, drawing criticism from fans who watched it.
Lee did not stop there. While leaving the stadium, Lee encountered Lim Sung-kyun (High1 Resort), who was scheduled to face off against him the next day, and approached Lim Sung-kyun to share the story and warned him to be careful.
As a result, other players who were watching around decided that the issue was not light, and a report was made to the PBA secretariat immediately.
The PBA held a reward and punishment committee on the 13th, a week after the incident, and took disciplinary action against Lee Hong-ki. After hearing Lee Hong-ki's call for attending the reward and punishment committee, the PBA suspended him from the remaining games of this season and before the next season. The disciplinary action is quite serious, just under the "suspension of qualification."
PBA said in a phone call with MHN Sports on the 28th, "At that time, Lee Hong-ki made violent remarks to Oh Sung-wook during the game, including shouting and swearing that was difficult to say, and interfered with other players' games."
In addition, he also encountered Lim Sung-kyun and made high-level threatening remarks, so he could not sit idly by. After the incident, reports from other players poured in. He gave Lee Hong-ki an opportunity to explain himself at the time and admitted all his mistakes, and Oh Sung-wook's smile seems to be misunderstood, although he did not mean to laugh at him."
Lee Hong-ki said, "I accept the disciplinary decision, but it's partially unfair," adding, "It was my fault for getting angry and swearing during the game, but Oh Sung-wook provided the cause. It's hard to understand that I was the only one who was severely disciplined and Oh Sung-wook was not disciplined at all."
Meanwhile, the PBA will hold the "Crown Haitai PBA Championship," the last tour of the regular league and the ninth tour of the season, until March 3.