Beijing: The Chinese government announced South Korean footballer Son Jun-ho has been detained on suspicion of having taken a bribe.

The footballer plays in the Chinese Super League.

According to reports, he is currently in police custody in the north-eastern Liaoning province.

The 31-year-old was detained at a Shanghai airport on Friday, according to South Korean media as quoted by BBC.

On Tuesday, Wang Wenbin, a spokesman for the foreign ministry in Beijing, said Son was detained “on suspicion of accepting bribes by non-state employees”, reports South China Morning Post.

Police “will provide necessary facilities for South Korean diplomats to perform their consular duties”, he added.

Lim Soo-suk, a spokesperson for the South Korean Foreign Ministry, was quoted as saying by Yonhap News Agency: ""In regards to Son, our local consulate is providing all necessary consular assistance."

The Korea Football Association (KFA) said Tuesday it sent official letters to the Chinese Football Association (CFA) and also the Asian Football Confederation seeking more information on Son's case, the South Korean news agency reported.