As a result, Lars’ relationship with Suwon FC was likely to end badly. Lars will not be seen in the K League this season.
The Korean Professional Football Association held its 10th punishment committee on Tuesday to finalise the punishment for Suwon FC striker Lars Veltwijk, who was caught driving under the influence of alcohol on the 7th.
안전놀이터 The league decided to suspend Lars for 15 games and fine him 4 million won ($4,000). With 13 games remaining for Suwon FC, and 15 including the relegation play-offs, Lars will effectively be unable to play in the K League this season.
It’s Suwon FC that’s in trouble. Suwon FC have been plagued by Lars’ absence all season. In the summer transfer window, he was linked with a move to FC Seoul, which prompted head coach Kim Do-gyun to take him off the pitch.
After a meeting with Kim during the break, Lars made amends and scored a brace in the Suwon derby last week to lead his side to victory, but a subsequent drink-driving offence put him over the line.
It is now understood that Lars’ contract with Suwon FC will expire at the end of the year. Without him this season, Suwon FC has three options: keep him for six months and then release him as a free agent, sell him to another country for a transfer fee, or terminate his contract.
Suwon will reportedly not use the last option. With the precedent of Anyang’s Jonatan and Gwangju’s Sandro, unconditional contracts are not beneficial to the team and can be used as a manoeuvre for foreign players.
Therefore, Suwon FC is likely to go about getting rid of Lars in two ways, except for the last one. For now, Ras has been excluded from Suwon FC’s training programme and is awaiting the club’s own disciplinary action.
Regardless of the decision, the biggest loser is Suwon FC. The loss of Ras, who was responsible for the team’s attack, will leave them with only Kim Hyun-soo as a striker, which could prove fatal for the squad as they continue to fight the relegation battle.