Fan reportedly directs racist remark at Son Heung-min after MLS match

An apparent LAFC supporter repeatedly directed a Chinese greeting at South Korean soccer player Son Heung-min after Sunday’s match against the Los Angeles Galaxy, drawing accusations of racism, according to The Korea Times, citing the New York Post.

The report prompted some fans to call for the person’s season tickets to be revoked if he holds them. It was not immediately clear whether LAFC or MLS had responded.

The Korea Times reported that the video showed a person wearing LAFC clothing addressing Son after the MLS match. The person was described as an apparent supporter of the club, but the report did not identify him.

According to the account cited by The Korea Times, the person repeatedly shouted a Chinese greeting toward Son. The New York Post characterized the conduct as racially insensitive and a form of racist microaggression.

The calls for a season-ticket penalty were conditional: The report did not establish whether the person held season tickets. It also did not specify the match venue.

The Korea Times noted that Son, a former Tottenham Hotspur player, had previously disclosed experiencing racism while playing overseas.

The Korea Times also noted that the Korea Football Association asked FIFA in 2024 to strengthen penalties for racist behavior in soccer.