'Arrested for sexual assault' — Even if he performs well, can he play in the World Cup? The top-tier midfielder who turned Japan upside down: "Although he apologized..."

*This content was translated by AI.

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America approaching, the past arrest record of Japan's key midfielder has once again come under scrutiny. Sano Kai (Mainz) is facing controversy over his eligibility for the national team on social networking services (SNS) due to his past arrest for sexual assault.

According to recent foreign media reports, including 'The Times of India', as global football fans focus on the North American World Cup, Sano's past legal risks, while playing for Japan's national team and Germany's Bundesliga club Mainz, have reignited on SNS.

Among online football fans, fundamental questions are being raised about whether it is morally appropriate for Sano to compete on the world's most prestigious stage, the World Cup.

Sano, included in Japan's final 26-man squad for the North American World Cup, was abruptly arrested by Japanese police in July 2024 on charges of conspiring with two male acquaintances to sexually assault one woman at a hotel in Tokyo shortly after joining Mainz. The incident caused a nationwide uproar, widely reported by the media. At the time, Sano reached a settlement with the victim and received a final decision of non-prosecution from the Prosecution Service, avoiding punishment. According to 'Sponichi Annex' and other outlets, after his release, Sano held an official press conference, bowing his head and saying, "I am deeply sorry for the trouble I have caused. I will atone for my sins through football." He then made a surprise return to the national team in 2025.

At the time, comments by Hajime Moriyasu, Japan's national team coach, also came under scrutiny. According to Japan's 'SPA', Coach Moriyasu, who brought Sano back into the team, stated, "Team members are family. It is right to give a player who made a mistake a chance to try again rather than leaving them abandoned in society." He added, "It is excellent that he appeared before the public and held a press conference to apologize. Since there are no legal issues, he can prove himself through his play." Moriyasu's defense of Sano drew fierce criticism. This is why fans expressed deep skepticism about the Japan Football Association's (JFA) decision to also bring back Junya Ito (Stade de Reims), who had been criminally sued over allegations of sexual crimes.

The problem is that Sano is currently performing exceptionally well as an indispensable core resource for Moriyasu's team. In March, during a friendly match against England (1-0 victory) held at Wembley, Sano started as a central midfielder and played the full 90 minutes. He delivered a performance that held his own against England's star-studded midfield, featuring world-class players such as Elliott Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), and Cole Palmer (Chelsea), leading Japan to victory.

Regarding Sano, whose skills are unquestionable, some in Japan argue that "Sano can return to the national team because he apologized." On the other hand, others criticize Coach Moriyasu's remarks as a slip of the tongue and view Sano's return to the national team negatively.

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*This content was translated by AI.