During a WK League match, a controversy arose after a referee allegedly made a sexually harassing remark about Ji So-yun, a star player of the league.
During the 2026 WK League regular season match between Suwon FC Women and Seoul City Hall held at Suwon Stadium yesterday evening (August 28), the match was temporarily halted after Ji So-yun strongly protested against the refereeing crew during the first half.
Footage from the live broadcast on the Korea Women's Football Federation's YouTube channel shows that around the 30th minute of the first half, referee Bae Sun-young issued a yellow card to Ji So-yun. Ji then walked toward her team bench and passionately explained something to the coaching staff and team personnel.
Subsequently, the referee also headed toward the bench area. As she exchanged words with Suwon FC Women officials, Ji continued her protest with large gestures, appearing frustrated and aggrieved.
When Ji threw a water bottle in an outburst of anger, referee Bae pulled out a red card but did not actually issue it. The match resumed after a four-minute interruption.
In an interview with a media outlet after the match, Ji revealed that she protested after hearing referee Bae make a remark targeting her over the wireless headset system, saying, "She's been sensitive since the beginning. Must be on her period."
Ji explained, "She made that remark right next to me while I was appealing. When I told her, 'If you say things like that, it's grounds for disciplinary action,' she gave me a yellow card."
Referee Bae's side initially denied ever making such a remark, but as protests continued, she reportedly offered an explanation to the effect of, "It was just something we said among ourselves."
Due to the yellow card received in this match, Ji will be unable to participate in the league game scheduled for September 2.
It is reported that the Suwon FC Women club is preparing to raise a formal issue with the Korea Women's Football Federation and other bodies.
An official from the Women's Football Federation stated, "The match supervisor assessed the situation on-site, and we will examine the specific details after requesting and reviewing the referee assessor's report and the referee's report from the Korea Football Association."
During a WK League match, a controversy arose after a referee allegedly made a sexually harassing remark about Ji So-yun, a star player of the league.
During the 2026 WK League regular season match between Suwon FC Women and Seoul City Hall held at Suwon Stadium yesterday evening (August 28), the match was temporarily halted after Ji So-yun strongly protested against the refereeing crew during the first half.
Footage from the live broadcast on the Korea Women's Football Federation's YouTube channel shows that around the 30th minute of the first half, referee Bae Sun-young issued a yellow card to Ji So-yun. Ji then walked toward her team bench and passionately explained something to the coaching staff and team personnel.
Subsequently, the referee also headed toward the bench area. As she exchanged words with Suwon FC Women officials, Ji continued her protest with large gestures, appearing frustrated and aggrieved.
When Ji threw a water bottle in an outburst of anger, referee Bae pulled out a red card but did not actually issue it. The match resumed after a four-minute interruption.
In an interview with a media outlet after the match, Ji revealed that she protested after hearing referee Bae make a remark targeting her over the wireless headset system, saying, "She's been sensitive since the beginning. Must be on her period."
Ji explained, "She made that remark right next to me while I was appealing. When I told her, 'If you say things like that, it's grounds for disciplinary action,' she gave me a yellow card."
Referee Bae's side initially denied ever making such a remark, but as protests continued, she reportedly offered an explanation to the effect of, "It was just something we said among ourselves."
Due to the yellow card received in this match, Ji will be unable to participate in the league game scheduled for September 2.
It is reported that the Suwon FC Women club is preparing to raise a formal issue with the Korea Women's Football Federation and other bodies.
An official from the Women's Football Federation stated, "The match supervisor assessed the situation on-site, and we will examine the specific details after requesting and reviewing the referee assessor's report and the referee's report from the Korea Football Association."
(Reported by Kim Jiuk | Video by Na Hong-hee | Design by Lee Jung-joo | Produced by SBS Digital News | Video source: YouTube 'Korea Women's Football Federation')
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