"Not 'Ni Hao, but 'My Son'": Fan Denies Racist Remarks Against Son Heung-min

The spectator at the center of controversy over allegations of directing racist remarks toward South Korean national team captain Son Heung-min (LAFC), who plays in Major League Soccer (MLS), has stepped forward to explain the situation.

On October 28 (local time), the fan posted a lengthy message on the LAFC club fan channel, "LAFC Fans," claiming that the accusation of shouting the Chinese greeting "Ni Hao" (Hello) to Son Heung-min to commit racism is untrue.

Previously, the U.S. media outlet New York Post reported on October 27 that an LAFC fan was witnessed shouting racist remarks at Son Heung-min following an MLS match.

This followed a video released through social media showing a spectator wearing an LAFC uniform repeatedly shouting "Ni Hao" to Son Heung-min as he left the pitch after the 2026 MLS Round 32 match between LAFC and LA Galaxy (which ended in a 2-2 draw), held at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California, on October 26.

The footage also captures Son Heung-min looking back at the spectator shouting at him.

Disregarding an individual's identity by assuming all East Asians are Chinese and treating them as such is considered a racist act.

Following the release of the video, criticism against the spectator continued, with some fans raising their voices demanding that the fan's season tickets be revoked.

The New York Post also pointed out the incident as an "insensitive and racist act."

However, the fan explained in the post, titled "I wanted to ask for help," that what they shouted was not "Ni Hao," but the Spanish word "Mijo."

"Mijo" is a shortened form of the Spanish phrase "Mi hijo," which means "my son."

It appears the fan used this term by connecting Son's last name with the English word meaning a male child (son).

"Another fan next to me thought I yelled 'Ni Hao,'" the spectator explained regarding the situation at the time. "When that woman asked if I had said such a thing, I said no. I didn't even know what that phrase meant."

The fan added that they have been a season ticket holder since the founding of LAFC and have traveled to away games to support the team, expressing regret over the current situation in which criticisms are pouring in.

The spectator also asked anyone who could vouch for the kind of person they are to leave a message, adding that they have also contacted the club's front office directly and are awaiting a response.

(Photo: Getty Images)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.