Drunk Driver Ahn Hye-jin Becomes Unsigned FA; Will Miss Next V-League Season
Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- National volleyball player Ahn Hye-jin will not play in the V-League next season after failing to secure a contract following a drunk driving incident.
- She was not offered a contract by any team, including her former club GS Caltex, making her an 'uncontracted FA player'.
- Ahn Hye-jin, who was a key player for GS Caltex's championship win last season, faces disciplinary action from the Korea Volleyball Federation.
Seoul, South Korea – The promising career of national volleyball team setter Ahn Hye-jin has hit a significant roadblock, as she has been left without a team for the upcoming V-League season. This unfortunate turn of events follows a drunk driving incident that has led to her being designated an 'uncontracted FA player,' meaning no club has offered her a contract.
Ahn, who was instrumental in GS Caltex's championship victory last season and a member of the national team, now faces an uncertain future. The Korea Volleyball Federation (KOVO) is scheduled to hold a disciplinary committee meeting to determine the sanctions against her, which could range from a warning to expulsion from the league, along with a fine.
This situation casts a shadow over the V-League's free agency period, which saw 17 out of 23 FA players re-sign with their former teams. While top players like Jeong Ho-yeong have secured lucrative deals and others have moved teams through trades, Ahn's case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of off-court misconduct. The league's stance on player behavior is clear, and Ahn's inability to secure a contract underscores the seriousness with which such incidents are treated.
Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.