Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou says skipper Heung-min Son's clash with young South Korea teammates was no surprise.
It's emerged that Son suffered a dislocated finger in the incident at the Asian Cup.
"Sonny's great. Great to have him back," said Postecoglou. "He gave everything for his country. They fell short of their goals but great to have him back around the group.
"In terms of the incident, that's for the Korean FA to handle and from what I know of the incident, and I haven't asked too much about it, it was Sonny being Sonny, being a leader and when you're a leader sometimes you get in the firing line."
Postecoglou added: "I don't know all the details and kind of don't want to know because it is an internal matter but what I know of the story is Sonny showing leadership. That's what leadership is all about. Leadership is not about being popular and trying to make everybody happy, it's about when you see something that you don't feel is right then you stand up for it because it's the best thing for the group. I see that in Sonny.
"Sometimes people are mistaken about Sonny because he's such a positive guy who whenever you see him is smiling and everyone has a real affection for him - but he wants to win. He doesn't like standards slipping and I've seen him do that around here. If something is not right he will say it. Sometimes it is not the popular thing to do.
"Sometimes that puts you in the firing line with the playing group, and with coaches or the club. But as a leader if you think this is the right thing to do then you should go strongly on it."
The Australian also said: "You have just got to be yourself - that's what leadership is all about.
"Sonny by nature is a nice guy. He is very polite and very respectful but that doesn't mean he can't be a real winner and a guy who has high standards. There is a real discipline you need top last this long, especially in the Premier League, and that drive to have high standards transfers to leadership.
"The best ones are the ones who are themselves because people respect that. When you try and be somebody else people see through that."
