Samsung Lions pitcher accused of helping to finance illegal online gambling site

South Korean baseball pitcher An Ji-man is under investigation for allegedly helping to finance an illegal online gambling operation.

South Korean media reported that An was recently summoned for questioning by the district prosecutors’ office in Daegu, the nation’s fourth largest city and home to the Samsung Lions team for which An plays.

Prosecutors suspect An of providing funds to a friend who went on to launch an illegal betting site. An has rejected the allegations, claiming that he’d lent his friend money for the purposes of opening a restaurant.

The Lions, which are part of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), took An off their active roster on Monday, claiming that the pitcher was suffering from shoulder pain.