A Mexican association head who made the so-called "slanted-eye" gesture, criticized as a racist act toward a Korean YouTuber at a World Cup stadium, issued a public apology and is set to step down from the presidency.
According to local media, Ulises Fernando Bernal Miramontes, president of the College of Surveying and Geospatial Engineering Technologists of Jalisco (CITGEJ) in Mexico, apologized via social media (SNS) to those offended by a video involving the Korean YouTuber Inonyang.
Noting that the controversy grew over a video released online, he said he determined a public apology was necessary. He also said there was no intent to discriminate or insult, but added he would take responsibility for the incident.
The controversy erupted on the 11th after the 2026 North and Central America World Cup group-stage match between Korea and the Czech Republic in Guadalajara, Mexico. In a video filmed by YouTuber Inonyang, who has 6.6 million subscribers, Miramontes is seen behind her making a gesture of pulling back his eyes with both hands, fueling accusations of racism.
As the video spread quickly online, internet users at home and abroad criticized it as a representative racist act disparaging East Asians. In Mexico as well, voices grew calling for an apology, along with criticism that the behavior was inappropriate.
As the controversy grew, the association he belongs to initiated disciplinary proceedings. Expressing regret over the incident, the association said Miramontes is expected to be removed from the presidency.
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) defines racist acts as a serious rules violation and maintains a strict response policy to related conduct at international competitions.