Coach Park Hang-seo Targeted with "Kimchi Man" Racial Slur in Thai Professional Football

Park Hang-seo, head coach of Thailand's Thai League 2 club Kanchanaburi Power FC, has sparked controversy after being subjected to racial taunts by a spectator believed to be an opposing team fan following a match.

According to local Thai media such as Khaosod and Vietnam's Tuoi Tre, Coach Park clashed with an opposing spectator after a 2-2 away draw against Pattaya United in the 2026–27 Thai League 2 match held at the Nong Prue Stadium in Pattaya on November 1.

Local media reported that "a man taunted Coach Park by referencing 'kimchi,' a symbol of Korean culture and food."

Videos and photos capturing the incident show a male spectator, presumed to be a Pattaya fan, repeatedly shouting "Kimchi man" alongside profanity at Coach Park as he was heading toward the locker room.

The spectator reportedly made insulting gestures toward Kanchanaburi's coaching staff and also directed insulting remarks regarding his height toward Madagascar-born midfielder John Baggio.

Enraged by the incident, Coach Park strongly reacted by putting his finger to his lips to signal the spectator to be quiet, and as the taunts continued, he motioned with a fist-swinging gesture while shouting at the individual to "come down."

However, physical conflict was averted as officials from both teams and match organizers intervened.

Following the match, the Kanchanaburi club issued a statement strongly condemning the spectator's behavior.

The club stated, "We stand together against racism, skin color, ethnicity, and all forms of discrimination and differences," adding, "Football is a sport that connects everyone around the world. No matter who they are, where they come from, or what their skin color is, every person possesses human dignity and deserves equal respect."

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