FIFA Invites Victim of 'Slanted-Eye' Gesture to World Cup Match, Bans Perpetrator

The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has decided to specially invite a Korean woman who was a victim of racism at a North and Central American World Cup stadium to attend the match between South Korea and Mexico.

In a statement released today (June 17), FIFA said, "We are very pleased that Ms. Yoon has accepted our invitation to the World Cup group stage match between South Korea and Mexico, which will be held in Guadalajara the day after tomorrow."

FIFA noted that the day of the South Korea-Mexico match coincides with the 'International Day for Countering Hate Speech,' and stated that they plan to deliver a message of respect and inclusion together with Ms. Yoon.

The organization added, "The individual responsible for the discriminatory act during the match between South Korea and the Czech Republic has been identified," and confirmed that "his ticketing account has been blocked."

FIFA further emphasized, "FIFA strongly condemns all forms of racism, hatred, and discrimination," adding, "Such behavior has no place in football, the FIFA World Cup, or anywhere in society."

Previously, the Korean victim, identified by her surname Yoon, suffered racial discrimination from a local spectator during the first group stage match between South Korea and the Czech Republic held at Guadalajara Stadium on the 12th.

In a video shared by Ms. Yoon on social media at the time, a Mexican man was captured making a 'slanted-eye' gesture—a derogatory act targeting Asians—by pulling his eyes to the sides with both hands toward her camera.

As the controversy spread, the perpetrator, Ulises Fernando Bernal Miramontes, issued a public apology and resigned from his position as president of the Jalisco Association of Civil, Topographic, Geometric, and Geodetic Engineers.

Reported by Kim Minjeong | Video by Jung Yong-hee | Graphics by Yang Hye-min | Produced by SBS Digital News
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.