Ange Postecoglou praised Son Heung-min's "high standards" after the Tottenham captain dislocated a finger in an incident on the eve of South Korea's Asian Cup semi-final exit.
Son reportedly rowed with team-mates about leaving dinner early to play table tennis.
Paris St-Germain's Lee Kang-in subsequently apologised after reports emerged that he had confronted Son.
"It was Sonny being Sonny," said Spurs manager Postecoglou.
"When you're a leader, sometimes you get in the firing line. 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.