Ji So-yeon Faces Sexual Harassment Remarks: Referee Team's Explanation Sparks Controversy

The Korea Pro-Footballers Association has strongly protested following a controversy that a female referee made sexually harassing remarks toward national team veteran Ji So-yeon during a WK League women's football match.

The association defined the incident not as a simple on-field argument, but as a clear case of "human rights violation and abuse of power," urging the Korea Football Association to take stern measures.

The issue originated from a match between Suwon FC Women and Seoul City Hall held on the 28th.

Ji So-yeon claimed that she heard remarks to the effect of, "She has been sensitive since the beginning. Must be her period," from referee Bae Sun-young during the game.

When Ji So-yeon protested, the referee issued her a yellow card. As the controversy grew, Referee Bae explained, "It was something we said amongst ourselves."

The referee team of the Korea Football Association also explained, "The word 'period' was not used in the communication, nor was it targeted at Ji So-yeon."

However, according to an official from Suwon FC, Referee Bae reportedly used the slang expression "Girl's Day," which euphemistically refers to menstruation, instead of the word itself.

As criticisms mounted that the fundamental nature of sexual harassment remains unchanged regardless of whether the specific word was avoided, Lee Keun-ho, president of the Korea Pro-Footballers Association, also issued scathing criticism.

Through an official statement, Association President Lee pointed out, "It is a horrific atrocity where a referee, who should protect players, instead inflicted humiliation and wielded power using cards as a weapon."

In addition, Kim Hoon-ki, secretary-general of the association, stated, "Even the players from the opposing team, Seoul City Hall, clearly heard the sexually harassing remarks coming from the referee's mouth and were shocked and appalled."

The association demanded that the referee in question be immediately expelled from the pitch, referred to the Sports Fair Committee, and subjected to the highest level of severe disciplinary action.

Furthermore, it urged a complete overhaul of the refereeing system, including the newly launched establishment of a transparent referee assignment body.

The FIFPRO (International Federation of Professional Footballers) has also been briefed on the matter and is reviewing the case, classifying it as a serious gender-based violence incident.

(Reported by Lee Hyeon-yeong | Video by Ahn Jun-hyeok | Graphics by Yang Hye-min | Produced by SBS Digital News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.