{
  "id": 4592678,
  "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",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-31T07:27:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "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": "Allegations of sexual harassment have been made against a referee in the WK League following remarks directed at veteran Korean midfielder Ji So-yun. The dispute erupted during a match between Suwon FC Women and Seoul City Hall, when referee Bae Seon-young reportedly used a slang term for menstruation in response to Ji's protest. According to football insiders, Bae used the term \"girls day\" during a caution to Ji around the 30th minute of the first half. Ji alleged that Bae said, \"She is sensitive from the beginning. She must be on her period.\" Upon receiving a yellow card, Ji left the field, conferring with her coaching staff and throwing a water bottle in protest. The match was delayed for about four minutes as Bae approached the bench.",
  "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": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "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",
        "published": "2026-08-31T07:22:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}