Senegal’s World Cup winger Khalilou Fadiga has admitted stealing a necklace in a shoplifting incident at the weekend says Korea’s chief of security at the finals.
Koh Young Sung says the player was not arrested after the Sunday night incident but does face charges.
Fadiga was questioned by police over the theft of a necklace just three days before his side opens to the 2002 World Cup finals against holders France.
A $240 gold necklace was stolen from a shop in Daegu with the African side due to play in capital city Seoul on Friday.
Fadiga allegedly took the necklace and the player was questioned after a complaint from the jewelry shop owner.
The player admitted the theft and is now facing criminal charges but Senegal deny all knowledge of the incident.
England captain Bobby Moore was famously arrested in Bogota before the 1970 World Cup finals when a shop assistant claimed that the 1966 World Cup winning captain had stolen a necklace.