'Girl's Day' remark, not directed at Ji So-yun... Controversy over whether it was aimed at all players, "Serious lack of gender sensitivity," Players Association furious

*This content was translated by AI.

The Korean Professional Football Players Association expressed deep concern and regret over the inappropriate explanation by the Korea Football Association's Referee Committee regarding the 'Girl's Day' remark incident involving sexual harassment by the refereeing team during a WK League match, and has begun institutional responses including filing a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission.

On the 7th, the Players Association issued an official statement strongly criticizing the inappropriate remarks and conduct of the refereeing team that erupted during the Suwon FC Women vs. Seoul City Hall match, as well as the remarks made by Shim Pan-wi (Director) acting director of the Korea Football Association during the process of managing the situation.

This was a shocking event that shook the football community. During the 2026 WK League match between Suwon FC Women and Seoul City Hall held at Suwon Sports Complex last month, it was revealed that referee Bae Seon-young used the expression 'Girl's Day,' an euphemism for menstruation, during a wireless communication process while facing Ji So-yun, who had approached to discuss the officiating.

According to testimonies from officials and broadcast footage, when Ji So-yun protested vehemently, Referee Bae pulled out a yellow card. When she complained of injustice by throwing a water bottle near the bench, Referee Bae consistently maintained an intimidating attitude by fiddling with a red card in her back pocket. The refereeing team initially denied using the word 'menstruation,' but later admitted to using the euphemism.

However, the response of the Korea Football Association's Referee Committee, which should have managed the situation, created another wave of controversy. According to the Players Association, recently, Shim Pan-wi (Director) acting director of the Korea Football Association visited the Suwon FC Women club and explained that the controversial remark was not directed at a specific individual like Ji So-yun but rather at all players present on the field at the time.

The Players Association strongly criticized this perception. The Players Association stated, "The fact that the remark was not directed at a specific player does not make the nature of the issue any lighter," and pointed out, "If we follow that explanation, it could mean that the expression was used against multiple female players who were playing on the field." They judged that beyond holding an individual accountable, serious flaws have been revealed in the refereeing organization's gender sensitivity and the overall system for protecting players' human rights.

Kim Hun-ki, Secretary-General of the Players Association, stated through a press release, "It is very regrettable that in a situation where players raised the issue, the person in charge explained that the remark was not directed at one individual but at all players." He added, "The fact that it was not directed at a specific person does not make the weight of the problem lighter. They should have first considered why the players were hurt by that remark."

He further emphasized, "Taking this incident as an opportunity, rather than concentrating responsibility on one individual, the entire refereeing organization must work together to improve so that players' human rights and dignity are respected on the field."

The Players Association plans not to cover up this matter as a deviation by a specific referee but to demand fundamental system reform. The Players Association will conduct an objective review through external professional institutional investors such as the National Human Rights Commission and the Sports Ethics Center, while also planning to urge institutional improvements through close coordination with the International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPRO). Additionally, they intend to continuously express opinions so that the Korea Football Association builds a fair and independent refereeing system that both players and referees can trust.

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*This content was translated by AI.