South Korean football referee faces hearing over ‘period’ insult

A South Korean female football referee is set to undergo a disciplinary hearing following claims she insulted former Chelsea star Ji So-yun by suggesting she was menstruating during a domestic league match. The Football Association of Korea (KFA) informed AFP of the inquiry into an incident that occurred during a Women's League game between Ji's Suwon FC Women and Seoul City Hall team.

The controversy began when Ji requested a penalty for her team, prompting the referee to confront her about allegedly saying, "She's been touchy since the start, she must be on her period." The KFA has forwarded the case to their disciplinary committee, but the hearing's timing remains undetermined. Initially, the KFA's refereeing department denied the phrase "period" was used, stating the remarks did not specifically target Ji.

However, the Women's Football Federation of Korea claims the term employed was "girl's day," a euphemism for menstruation. Ji confirmed hearing the referee make the remark via an intercom system used by officials. The KFA's referee council acknowledged the gravity of the allegations and opted to refer the matter to their disciplinary committee.