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South Korean Influencer Reports Racism at World Cup Match in Guadalajara
🇲🇽 Mexico /Sports

South Korean Influencer Reports Racism at World Cup Match in Guadalajara

From El Universal · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • A South Korean influencer reported experiencing racism at a World Cup 2026 match between South Korea and Czechia in Guadalajara.
  • The influencer, Yoon Su-jin (Ino Cat), shared a video of a spectator making an offensive gesture mimicking slanted eyes.
  • The incident sparked backlash online, with many Mexicans apologizing and condemning the spectator's behavior, while others identified the individual.

A South Korean influencer has reported a racist incident during the FIFA World Cup 2026 match between South Korea and Czechia held at the Akron Stadium in Guadalajara. Yoon Su-jin, a 29-year-old content creator known on social media as Ino Cat, shared her experience on Instagram, detailing an uncomfortable encounter within the stadium.

You traveled all over the world to attend the World Cup... and experienced racism.

— Yoon Su-jin (Ino Cat)Describing her experience at the World Cup match in Guadalajara.

While many Korean attendees praised the warm reception from Mexican fans, Ino Cat's video captured a spectator making a derogatory gesture. The man was seen pulling the skin around his eyes to mimic a slanted appearance, a racist caricature targeting East Asians. Ino Cat, who was accompanied by fellow content creator Rafa Yechan, visibly changed her demeanor upon witnessing the act, expressing her dismay in her post: "You traveled all over the world to attend the World Cup... and experienced racism."

The incident quickly gained traction on social media, drawing widespread condemnation. Numerous users expressed apologies for the spectator's behavior, emphasizing that his actions do not represent the hospitality of the entire Mexican public. "From the bottom of my heart, I apologize for making you have a bad time in my country, but believe me, there are also many kind people who can defend you in those situations," one user commented. Another added, "Don't think we are all like that, friend, long live Korea."

From the bottom of my heart, I apologize for making you have a bad time in my country, but believe me, there are also many kind people who can defend you in those situations.

— Social media userApologizing to the influencer for the racist incident.

Ino Cat, who boasts over 6 million subscribers, thanked her followers for their support and affirmed her commitment to showcasing the positive aspects of Mexico. She also expressed gratitude for the support shown to the South Korean national team. Meanwhile, some internet users took it upon themselves to identify the individual responsible for the racist gesture. According to these users, the man is Ulises Fernando Bernal, president of the College of Surveying and Geomatics Engineers of Jalisco.

Don't think we are all like that, friend, long live Korea.

— Social media userExpressing support for the influencer and South Korea.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Universal in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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