started · updated
Ji So-yun alleges sexual harassment by referee in WK League match
A controversy has erupted in the South Korean WK League following allegations of sexual harassment made by veteran midfielder Ji So-yun of Suwon FC Women against referee Bae Seon-young. During a match against Seoul City Hall on August 28, Ji protested a decision and claimed she overheard officials using the slang term ‘girls’ day’—a euphemism for menstruation—to describe her temperament over their wireless communication.
While the Korea Football Association (KFA) stated that the specific word for menstruation was not used, they acknowledged the use of the slang term in radio communications. The referee initially denied the remarks but later reportedly characterized them as ‘something we said among ourselves.’ The incident led to a four-minute match delay and a yellow card for Ji, who expressed her anger by throwing a water bottle.
Suwon FC Women has filed official complaints with the KFA and the Korea Women's Football Federation, demanding a full investigation and measures to prevent recurrence. The Korea Pro-Footballers Association has condemned the incident as a ‘serious human rights violation’ and called for the referee's expulsion. The Korea Women's Football Federation has announced it will review the facts and hold a meeting with officials and clubs to improve the league's communication culture and refereeing standards.
Entities
Bae Seon-young · Bae Sun-young · Ji So-yeon · Ji So-yun · Korea Football Association · Korea Professional Football Players Association · Korea Women's Football Federation · Suwon FC Women
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Korea Professional Football Players Association characterized the incident as a serious human rights violation and an abuse of power. www.seoul.co.kr
- [● 2 SOURCES] The KFA acknowledged that the term 'Girls' Day' was used during the radio communication. www.kyeonggi.com · www.seoul.co.kr
- [● 2 SOURCES] Suwon FC Women filed an official complaint with the KFA and the Women's Football Federation requesting a formal investigation and preventative measures. www.kyeonggi.com · www.seoul.co.kr
- [● 2 SOURCES] Referee Bae Sun-young reportedly changed her stance, suggesting the remarks were intended as private communication among officials. www.seoul.co.kr
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Players Association demanded the removal of the referee and an immediate referral to the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee's Sports Fair Committee.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The KFA is scheduled to discuss the incident at a referee evaluation meeting on September 3. www.kyeonggi.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Korea Football Association (KFA) referee team stated that the specific word for menstruation was not used during radio communication. www.kyeonggi.com · www.seoul.co.kr
- [● 3 SOURCES] Ji So-yeon claims the referee made a remark implying she was being sensitive due to her menstrual cycle. www.kyeonggi.com · www.seoul.co.kr