Former professional baseball player Ahn Ji-man has sparked controversy by suggesting that Lotte Giants players embroiled in a Taiwan gambling scandal should receive penalties that still allow them to continue playing baseball.
According to sports industry sources on the 26th, Ahn said on his YouTube channel "Ahn Ji-man TV" on the 23rd: "Whether it's team discipline or KBO discipline, the players should receive their punishment, but I hope it's a penalty that still allows them to play baseball."
"A year is an enormous amount of time for a player," he said. "Rather than making them sit out 4-5 years or banning them from baseball entirely, the punishment should be at a level where they can return to play."
He added, "Penalties that raise awareness, like those for drunk driving, are necessary. We need to ensure gambling doesn't happen again." However, he noted, "Public sentiment is so negative right now that I don't know if they'll be able to return."
Ahn particularly fueled controversy by stating: "I've also been to the place where the Lotte players went. It's really fun when four people go together. I'm speaking as someone with experience."
Critics have pointed out that it was inappropriate for Ahn—whose playing career effectively ended due to gambling charges—to share personal experiences about visiting such establishments.
The scandal erupted after it was confirmed that Lotte players Ko Seung-min, Kim Dong-hyuk, Kim Se-min, and Na Seung-yeop visited a gambling establishment near their accommodations during spring training camp in Tainan, Taiwan. Public outrage intensified when photos emerged showing Kim Dong-hyuk, who visited the establishment three times, receiving a high-end mobile phone as a prize.
The KBO convened its disciplinary committee and issued Kim Dong-hyuk a 50-game suspension, while the other three players received 30-game suspensions. Lotte is also reviewing additional internal disciplinary measures.
Ahn has previously courted controversy with his remarks. In July 2021, responding to a chat comment on his YouTube broadcast that said "Players have no reason to exist without fans," he replied: "That's true, but without players, there are no fans either." He drew criticism by adding, "Without players, there would be no broadcasts, no reporters, no fans. Do you think baseball games wouldn't happen just because there are no fans?"
Ahn was a key reliever during the Samsung Lions dynasty era. In 2016, he was sentenced to eight months in prison with a two-year suspended sentence for charges including operating an illegal online gambling site. His playing career ended with KBO disciplinary action.