“Kimchi Man” faced racial discrimination, yet he is being disciplined… The Thai Football Association’s “two-match suspension + fine” for Park Hang-seo, who protected his player, is a contradiction in terms

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Park Hang-seo (67), manager of Khon Kaen United (Thailand’s second division), who clashed with opposing fans, has been handed a two-match suspension.

According to local media such as Vietnam’s VN Express on the 12th (Korean time), the disciplinary committee of the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) imposed a two-match coaching ban and a fine of 13,333 baht (approximately 520,000 won) on Manager Park. A fine of 40,000 baht (approximately 1.6 million won) was also levied on Pathum United for failing to manage its spectators.

The incident occurred immediately after the away match in Round 9 of Thailand’s League 2 against Pathum United on the 1st (a 2-2 draw). Some of Pathum United’s home fans hurled racist insults such as “monkey” and “dwarf” at Khon Kaen United’s Madagascar-born forward, John Bazile. Manager Park, who was trying to stop this and protest, was also subjected to the derogatory remark “Kimchi Man,” a slur against Koreans.

Manager Park expressed intense anger, strongly protesting to the spectators and demanding they come down onto the field. DJ Management, Manager Park’s management company, explained that “this was not an action taken due to insults directed at himself, but rather to prevent ongoing racial discrimination against his player and to protect him.”

However, the FAT disciplinary committee determined that Manager Park’s response was inappropriate. While acknowledging as fact that the opposing fans had made racist remarks, the committee pointed out that Manager Park gestured toward the spectators and responded roughly, thereby escalating the conflict on site. It also cited as grounds for discipline the fact that Manager Park, who was already under a suspension from duties at the time of the incident, engaged in an argument outside of permitted areas.

With a disciplinary sanction imposed even on the manager who stepped in to protect his player from clear racial discrimination, controversy over the validity of the punishment is expected to continue for some time.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original