‘She must be on her period’: Referee under fire over alleged remark about Ji So-yun

A female soccer referee in South Korea has faced backlash after an alleged inappropriate comment directed at player Ji So-yun during a women’s football match. The incident took place on Friday at the Suwon Sports Complex in Gyeonggi Province, during a game between Suwon FC Women and Seoul City Hall. According to reports, the referee, Bae Sun-young, made a remark over the officiating crew’s radio system around the 31st minute of play, suggesting that Ji had been overly sensitive and implying she might be menstruating. Ji So-yun, who plays for Suwon FC Women, reportedly reacted strongly to the comment. After appealing for a foul following what she described as repeated rough challenges by an opposing player, she confronted the referee immediately upon hearing the remark. Ji asked Bae directly, “What did you just say? You can be disciplined for making a comment like that.” The exchange reportedly occurred after Ji was shown a yellow card for her reaction. Footage from a livestream shared on the Korea Women’s Football Federation’s YouTube channel shows Ji walking toward the Suwon bench after receiving the yellow card. She continued to protest the decision, gesturing toward the officials before throwing a water bottle in frustration. The referee, Bae, then approached the bench and appeared to pull out a red card, though it was not shown to Ji. The video captures the tension surrounding the moment. Initially, Bae denied making the remark, stating it was part of a “private conversation” among the match officials. However, she later admitted to the comment, acknowledging it was made during a discussion within the officiating team. Ji described the remark as “inappropriate” and emphasized that “respect must go both ways between players and referees.” Ji went on to score the winning goal in the 74th minute, helping Suwon FC Women secure a 2-1 victory. Despite this performance, she will face a suspension for the club’s upcoming 23rd-round match against Hwacheon KSPO on Wednesday, as a result of the yellow card received earlier in the game. Suwon FC Women is reportedly planning to file a formal complaint with the Korea Women’s Football Federation and other relevant sports authorities regarding the incident. The club aims to address the alleged misconduct by the referee and ensure appropriate disciplinary action is taken. The controversy has sparked discussions about professionalism and respect in sports, particularly concerning interactions between players and referees. While some have called for accountability, others have questioned whether the remark was meant to be taken literally or if it reflected broader issues of sensitivity in high-pressure environments. As the situation unfolds, the focus remains on the actions of the referee and the potential consequences for her conduct. The outcome of the formal complaint could set a precedent for how such incidents are handled in future matches. For now, the attention remains on the players and officials involved, with calls for transparency and fairness in the administration of the sport.