Pro Footballers Association Demands Strict Measures Against Referee's Sexual Harassment Remarks Toward Ji So-yun

The Korea Pro-Footballers Association (KPFA) has demanded strict action from the Korea Women's Football Federation regarding a referee's recent sexually harassing remarks directed at Ji So-yun (Suwon FC Women) during a WK League match.

The KPFA stated today (31st), "We define this incident not as a mere refereeing dispute, but as a serious human rights violation and abuse of refereeing power on the pitch, and we urge measures to prevent recurrence."

Ji So-yun, co-president of the KPFA, received a yellow card from the referee around the 30th minute of the first half during the 2026 WK League regular season match between Suwon FC Women and the Seoul City Hall held at Suwon Sports Complex on the 28th, and strongly protested.

Ji So-yun revealed that she protested after hearing the referee say via wireless communication, "She's been sensitive since the beginning. Must be on her period," sparking a sexual harassment controversy.

Lee Keun-ho, who serves as co-president of the KPFA alongside Ji So-yun, criticized, "A referee, who should protect players closest to them, instead inflicted indelible humiliation on a specific player in front of players from both teams. Wielding power by using cards as a weapon to cover this up is behavior that cannot be tolerated in any professional league in the world."

To reform the refereeing system and protect players, the KPFA demanded that the Korea Football Association form an emergency response committee while urging the expulsion of the referee responsible for the incident.

(Photo: Capture from the Korea Women's Football Federation YouTube channel broadcast, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.