Son could miss start of season ...and the army
TOTTENHAM face losing Son Heung-min for the start of next season because the South Korean wants to compete at the Asian Games, according to his country’s Under 23 coach. A gold medal at the Games in Indonesia would make Son exempt from 21 months of military service, which is mandatory in his homeland. Korean law states that all able-bodied South Korean men must start fulfilling their period of service before the age of 27 and Spurs star Son is 26 in July. The final of the Asian Games will be held on September 1, three weeks after the Premier League starts. Spurs will be under no obligation to allow Son to compete but the club know it would leave him with a good chance of earning an exemption. South Korea’s Under 23 coach Kim Hak-bum said: ‘Son has a strong will to compete at the Asian Games.’ Son, who could be selected as one of three over-age wildcards for the competition, was refused permission by his former club Bayer Leverkusen to compete in the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon. Kim continued: ‘It is a sensitive issue. I believe that the Korea Football Association will handle this matter well.’