A Mexican soccer fan was caught on camera making a racist gesture behind a Korean YouTuber during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A opener between South Korea and the Czech Republic, prompting Sungshin Women's University professor Seo Kyoung-duk to call for a public apology. The fan later issued an apology on social media.
Seo posted on his social media account Saturday, saying a Mexican man seated behind a well-known Korean YouTuber was captured on video pulling his eyes back with both index fingers while the YouTuber filmed a selfie clip at the stadium. "Pulling one's eyes back with fingers is a classic racist act that has long been used to demean Asians," Seo said.
The incident occurred June 12 at a stadium in Guadalajara, Mexico, during the South Korea-Czech Republic match. In footage circulating online, a man in a Mexican national team jersey stares directly into the YouTuber's camera and stretches the corners of his eyes with his fingers.
Seo said the incident had also been covered by Mexican outlet Politigo, which identified the man as Ulises Fernando Bernal Miramontes, president of the Civil Engineering Society of Jalisco state.
Politigo described Miramontes' behavior as "a shameful act that publicly mocked the appearance of a female spectator," and he was reportedly removed from his position.
Miramontes posted an apology on his social media account, saying he "sincerely apologizes to Korean fans and everyone who felt offended" by his actions and that he "had no intention of insulting or punishing anyone."
He added that he would resign from his leadership role to take responsibility for the controversy.
Seo said such behavior "cannot be tolerated at a World Cup, where people from all nations and backgrounds come together as one." He called on Miramontes to issue a formal public apology and urged FIFA to treat the incident as a lesson and ensure it is never repeated.
ygmoon@heraldcorp.com
