At the 2026 Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) North and Central America World Cup match between Korea and the Czech Republic, a Mexican association chief who made a racist gesture toward a Korean YouTuber in the stands said after controversy that he would step down. He posted an apology video on social media (SNS) and said the incident was "entirely a personal action," adding that he had submitted his resignation as association chief.
On the 14th (local time), according to Mexican daily El Universal and others, Ulises Fernando Bernal Miramontes, president of the Jalisco College of Surveying and Geomatics Engineers (CITGEJ), recently posted a public apology video on SNS. He said he apologizes to the Korean YouTuber, the Korean community, and Mexicans disappointed by his actions, and announced his intention to resign as association chief.
The controversy began on the 12th at a stadium in Guadalajara, Mexico, during the Group A opener of the group stage between Korea and the Czech Republic at the 2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup. Right after Korea beat the Czech Republic 2-1, Korean YouTuber Inonyang uploaded a video shot in the stands to SNS. The video captured a man in the row behind Inonyang pulling the corners of his eyes outward with his fingers toward the camera.
The so-called "eye-slanting" gesture of stretching the eyes sideways with fingers has long been pointed out as a representative racist act that demeans the appearance of Asians. The video spread quickly through SNS and online communities, drawing criticism not only in Korea but also in Mexico.
As the controversy grew, internet users tracked down the man's identity and identified him as Bernal Miramontes, president of the Jalisco College of Surveying and Geomatics Engineers. Mexican media also reported his identity and criticized the act as an inappropriate racist behavior.
In the apology video, Bernal Miramontes said to the effect that "when foreigners visit Mexico, I want them to feel at home, but I did the exact opposite." He added, "I sincerely apologize to the YouTuber, the Korean community, and Mexicans disappointed by my actions."
He also said he would step down from the association chief post. Bernal Miramontes said, "I submitted my resignation to avoid harming my organization," and added, "This matter is entirely a personal action, and I will fully accept the consequences and responsibility." He also said he is looking for a way to apologize directly to the Korean YouTuber.
The association he belongs to has also reportedly begun disciplinary proceedings. The New York Post reported that the association expressed deep regret over the incident and said the Honor and Discipline Committee would meet to remove Bernal Miramontes from his position. Afterward, with Bernal Miramontes himself announcing the submission of his resignation, the process moved toward his departure.
Criticism also mounted in Korea. Seo Kyung-duk, a professor at Sungshin Women's University, said on SNS that "the act of pulling the eyes with fingers has been used as a representative racist behavior to demean Asians," and noted that "it is unacceptable for such an incident to occur at a World Cup, where the global village comes together beyond nationality and race." He also said FIFA should pay attention to preventing a recurrence.