At the "Gyeongin derby" between FC Seoul and Incheon United, some FC Seoul fans hung a banner that changed Incheon (仁川) to "person in (人)·vulgar cheon (賤)," sparking controversy. The Incheon club is considering legal action, and Park Chan-dae, the Incheon mayor, also said, "We will respond firmly."
The controversy arose at the match between FC Seoul and Incheon United at Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 5th.
After Incheon lost 0-1 that day, some fans in the Seoul supporters' section hung a banner reading "Jeon Dal-su (water 水)+Cho Geon-do (thief 盜)= 人賤UTD."
On the banner, the last character of former Incheon United CEO Jeon Dal-su's name was changed to water su (水), and the last character of current CEO Cho Geon-do's name was changed to thief do (盜). The regional name Incheon (仁川) was also written using person in (人) and vulgar cheon (賤) as "人賤."
Water su (水) is seen as targeting the so-called "water bottle throwing incident," which became controversial after some Incheon fans threw water bottles onto the pitch following an Incheon United–FC Seoul match in 2024. Thief do (盜) appears to refer to the current special audit of the Incheon club's board of directors.
Among Incheon fans, criticism emerged that the expression went beyond provocation toward the opposing club and disparaged the Incheon region itself.
On the 7th, the Incheon club issued a statement saying it "clearly goes beyond the bounds of simple cheering culture," and added, "We will actively review measures to hold those involved civilly and criminally liable for defamation and insult."
It added, "Altering the regional name Incheon itself into a derogatory meaning is an act that does not respect Incheon citizens," and noted, "The expressions targeting the former and current CEOs also have the potential to defame individuals regardless of the facts."
Park Chan-dae, the Incheon mayor, also said on social media (SNS) on the 8th, "As the club owner and as the Incheon mayor, I express anger and deep regret over acts that insult our fans and Incheon citizens," adding, "Cheering without the minimum level of respect cannot be called true cheering. We will respond firmly until measures to prevent a recurrence and ensure accountability are properly carried out regarding this situation."
The Korea Professional Football League (KPFL) is also looking into the details related to the banner.
Under K League disciplinary regulations, if religious discrimination by spectators, political remarks or acts, or racist remarks or acts occur in a stadium, the club may be subject to penalties such as point deductions, matches behind closed doors, fines, or warnings.
The professional football league is reviewing whether the banner falls under disciplinary action after receiving related reports through the "Clean Center."