Chinese Commentator Replaced After Referencing 'Korean War Hero' During Broadcast

A famous former Chinese soccer player turned commentator has been abruptly removed from the broadcast team after mentioning a "Chinese military hero" of the Korean War during a 2026 FIFA World Cup match.
According to local media including Hong Kong's Ming Pao on Saturday (June 20), Li Yi (47), who was serving as a commentator for the World Cup on the Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu, made the remark during the Austria vs. Jordan match on June 17. Around the 34th minute of the first half, while describing an Austrian defender blocking a shot from a Jordanian player with his body, Li compared the action to "Huang Jiguang blocking a gun barrel."
Li was removed from the broadcast team after the first half concluded. Huang Jiguang (1931–1952), whom Li referenced, was a communications soldier in the Chinese People's Volunteer Army who fought in the Korean War and was killed in action during the Battle of Triangle Hill in Cheorwon in October 1952.
According to Chinese records, Huang is said to have blocked two U.S. military machine guns that were attacking the main Chinese force with his own body.
China bestowed the title of "Special Class Hero" upon the fallen Huang.
The anecdote of Huang Jiguang throwing his body to block a gun barrel has been heavily promoted by the authorities, and he remains one of China's most representative martyrs.
Ming Pao explained that while such analogies were not uncommon in games or sports in the past, they have rarely been used in live broadcasts since the implementation of the "Heroes and Martyrs Protection Law" in 2018.
However, local media reported that Li has not been subjected to a total ban from appearing on air.
(Photo: Weibo capture, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.