Brazilian influencer's racist 'eye-pulling' gesture sparks calls for apology

Professor Seo Kyoung-duk of Sungshin Women's University is demanding a public apology after a Brazilian influencer made a racist "eye-pulling" gesture, mocking Asians during a World Cup event. Seo revealed on Facebook on March 6 that a Brazilian influencer posted a video on their social media story with friends, making the discriminatory gesture after the Brazil-Japan World Cup match on February 30.

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The act of pulling one's eyes with fingers is a representative racist act used to demean Asians.

The accompanying photo shows six women with their eyes pulled back into a slant using their fingers while smiling. Seo emphasized that the "eye-pulling" gesture is a well-known racist act used to demean Asians. He noted that after the controversy erupted, the influencer changed their account name and then made the account private.

Seo recalled a previous incident on February 12 during the Korea-Czech Republic group stage match, where a Mexican man made a similar gesture towards a Korean YouTuber. That individual later issued a public apology after facing significant criticism. Seo stressed that the Brazilian influencer must also issue a public apology.

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This Brazilian influencer must also issue a public apology.

"All football fans worldwide must pay attention to prevent such incidents from happening again," Seo urged, calling for greater awareness and sensitivity to prevent the recurrence of racist behavior in international sports events.

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All football fans worldwide must pay attention to prevent such incidents from happening again.