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Women and gender
SportFootball

South Korean football referee faces hearing over using ‘period’ insult on player

Official will face disciplinary inquiry over incident that saw the international booked after demanding a penalty during a local league game

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Suwon FC midfielder Ji So-yun, seen here after a semi-final loss in the AFC Women’s Champions League, had approached the referee while playing for her club side. Photo: Korea Times
Agence France-Presse

A woman referee in South Korea will face a disciplinary hearing over accusations she insulted former Chelsea midfielder Ji So-yun by saying she was menstruating, the football association said on Friday.

The inquiry will focus on an incident that saw the international booked after confronting the official during a domestic women’s league game between Ji’s Suwon FC Women and Seoul City Hall.

It was sparked when Ji, a midfielder who is the top scorer for the South Korea national side, demanded a penalty for her side during the WK League match last month.

After approaching the referee, Ji alleged the official said: “She’s been touchy since the start, she must be on her period.”

A Korea Football Association (KFA) official said it had referred the case to the association’s disciplinary committee.

The KFA did not say when the hearing will take place.

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