{
  "id": 4591201,
  "title": "Referee faces calls for lifetime ban over alleged period remark to Ji So-yun",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/referee-faces-calls-for-lifetime-ban-over-alleged-period-remark-to-ji",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-31T07:22:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/sports/20260831/referee-faces-calls-for-lifetime-ban-over-alleged-period-remark-to-ji-so-yun"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Referee Bae Seon-young is facing accusations of sexual harassment following alleged remarks toward veteran player Ji So-yun during a match earlier this week. According to the WK League, the official used a slang term for menstruation in response to Ji's protest, sparking outrage. The dispute erupted after Ji confronted Bae, demanding an explanation and citing disciplinary action. The match was briefly halted while Bae approached Ji. Ju subsequently received a yellow card and left the field in protest.",
  "summary": "A referee's reported remarks to veteran midfielder Ji So-yun of Suwon FC Women have sparked sexual harassment allegations in the WK League. The dispute is expected to escalate as the official allegedly used a slang term for menstruation in response to the player's protest. According to football insiders Sunday, referee Bae Seon-young reportedly used the term \"girls' day\" while issuing a caution…",
  "key_points": [
    "Referee Bae Seon-young allegedly used menstrual term to Ji So-yun",
    "Ji So-yun confronted Bae, demanded explanation",
    "Ji So-yun received yellow card, left field in protest"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The incident marks a serious escalation in the scrutiny of officials' behaviour in the WK League, potentially leading to stricter regulations and harsher penalties for misconduct.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Referee faces calls for lifetime ban over alleged period remark to Ji So-yun",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/referee-faces-calls-for-lifetime-ban-over-alleged-period-remark-to-ji-4592678",
        "published": "2026-08-31T07:27:02.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}