During the match held in Guadalajara, a Mexican fan was seen pulling the corners of his eyes in a slanted‑eyed pose – an act many interpreted as a racist gesture toward East Asians. The footage was shared by South Korean content creator Yoon Su‑jin, who has a large following on platforms such as TikTok and YouTube. Yoon’s post sparked a wave of criticism across social media, amassing over 65,000 comments and 120,000 shares.
The offender, Ulises Bernal, issued a public apology and acknowledged that the video “generated a wide range of reactions.” In the statement he expressed sincere regret, reaffirming his commitment to treat others with respect and refraining from attempts to justify his actions. Following the backlash, Bernal was removed from his position as president of the College of Geomatics and Topographic Surveying Engineers of Jalisco, as reported by the New York Post and confirmed by a CITGEJ spokesperson.
The incident underscores the increasing scrutiny of racial sensitivity in international events such as the 2026 World Cup and has prompted broader discussions about cultural respect and accountability in the sports arena.
