The Korea Football Association (KFA) is proceeding with disciplinary action against female referee Pae Sun-young after Suwon FC Women striker Ji So-yun accused her of making menstruation-related remarks during a WK League match, which were regarded as insulting. The referee denied referring to any specific player and argued that she did not directly use the word "menstruation."
The Korea Football Association (KFA) has launched a disciplinary investigation into female referee Pae Sun-young following allegations that she made sexually harassing remarks toward Ji So-yun, a player for Suwon FC Women, during a WK League match.
The incident took place during the match between Suwon FC Women and Seoul City Hall on 28 August. Ji So-yun protested a denied penalty call, and afterwards, the 35-year-old player claimed to have heard the referee say to another official, "She has been sensitive from the start; she must be on her period."
The match was broadcast live on the Korea Women's Football Federation's YouTube channel, which brought widespread attention to the incident and the referee's remarks.
Ji So-yun said that after hearing the comment, she asked the referee, "What did you just say?" and warned that the referee could face punishment for such remarks. Instead of clarifying, the referee issued a yellow card to Ji So-yun. When the player showed displeasure, the referee raised a red card but did not show it to Ji So-yun.
After the incident, Ji So-yun told local media that she heard the comment via the communication system referees use during matches. However, Pae Sun-young initially denied making the statement and later explained that her words were not directed at any particular player but were part of a conversation with another official, affirming she did not directly use the word "menstruation."
Earlier, the KFA's refereeing department also stated that the word "menstruation" was not found in communications between officials. However, South Korean media reported that the referee may have used the phrase "that time of the month," an indirect expression referring to menstruation.
Subsequently, Suwon FC Women requested both the Korea Women's Football Federation and KFA to thoroughly investigate the incident, while the KFA's amateur referees council decided to refer the case to the disciplinary committee, considering it a serious matter.
The disciplinary committee will examine the events during the match, hear statements from involved parties, determine whether the actions violated regulations, and decide on appropriate penalties if wrongdoing is found. The KFA has not yet announced an official date for the disciplinary hearing.
According to committee regulations, referees found guilty of minor verbal misconduct or isolated incidents may face suspension from duties or loss of referee qualifications for 3 months to 1 year. More serious cases can result in suspension for 1 to 3 years.
The Korea Professional Footballers Association previously demanded the immediate removal of the referee from duty, called for the harshest penalties, and urged the KFA to establish an emergency committee to address such issues.
Ji So-yun is one of South Korea's most successful female footballers, holding the record for the most appearances for the national team—175 matches across both men's and women's football—and scoring 75 international goals. She has also played professionally for Chelsea in the English Women's Super League.
The KFA stated it will use this case as a lesson to implement preventive measures against similar incidents and enhance training to promote a culture of mutual respect among players, referees, and all personnel involved in South Korean women's football.
SourceYonhap/JoongAng Ilbo