Mexican fan apologizes for racist gesture to Korean influencer at World Cup match

A Mexican fan has publicly apologized after making a racist gesture toward a South Korean influencer during a World Cup match in Guadalajara. The influencer, Inocat, who has over 500,000 followers on Instagram for her comedy, lifestyle, cosplay, and travel videos, shared a video of the incident. In the footage, a man identified as Ulises Bernal, wearing a German team jersey, pulls at his eyes and makes comments while the influencer is recording. Initially smiling, Inocat's expression quickly shifts to discomfort as the man laughs with his companions.

The video sparked a wave of online backlash, prompting Bernal to issue a public apology. "I did the opposite" of making foreigners feel at home in Mexico, he stated in a video, addressing Inocat and apologizing to the Korean and foreign communities, as well as Mexicans who felt unrepresented by his behavior. He expressed deep regret and acknowledged his mistake.

Bernal also announced his resignation as president of the College of Surveying Geomatics Engineers of Jalisco. He emphasized that his actions were personal and that he would accept the consequences. He stated his intention to meet Inocat in person to offer a direct apology, adding that the incident had deeply affected him and would not happen again.