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South Korean Football Referee Faces Disciplinary Inquiry Over Alleged Menstruation Remark

r/Sports •

Darom AI September 04, 2026

A South Korean football referee has been referred to the Korea Football Association's disciplinary committee following allegations that she made a menstruation-related remark directed at national team player Ji So-yun during a domestic league match. The case, which has drawn widespread attention to officiating standards and respect in women's sports, moved into formal disciplinary proceedings after the association's amateur referee evaluation council reviewed the incident.

The controversy stems from an August 28 match in the WK League between Suwon FC Women and Seoul City Hall. During the game, Ji, a veteran midfielder and former Chelsea player, approached the referee to demand a penalty following physical challenges in the box. According to Ji, she overheard the official state over the referee communication system that she had "been touchy since the start" and "must be on her period". When Ji protested the remark, she was issued a yellow card.

The wording and intent behind the exchange have since become points of contention. While the Korea Women's Football Federation noted that a local euphemism roughly translatable to "girl's day" was utilized, the Korea Football Association's refereeing department initially stated that the specific word "period" did not appear in official communication logs and that the comment was not explicitly targeted at the player. The official involved similarly argued that her words were part of a private exchange between referees and did not refer to any particular individual.

Despite these disputes, the Korea Football Association confirmed that its refereeing council recognized the gravity of the allegations and opted to escalate the matter. The case now rests with the Fair Play Committee, which will examine match circumstances, evaluate audio logs, and hear testimonies from all parties involved before determining whether formal punishment is warranted. No specific date for the disciplinary hearing has been publicly announced.

Fact Check Analysis AI Verified

--- > **Claim:** A South Korean football referee has been referred to the Korea Football Association's disciplinary committee following allegations that she made a menstruation-related remark directed at national team player Ji So-yun during a domestic league match. - **Verdict:** Verified - **Analysis:** Search evidence confirms that a South Korean football referee was referred to the Korea Football Association's disciplinary process/committee after allegedly making a menstruation-related remark toward national team player Ji So-yun during a domestic match. [straitstimes.com](https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/south-korea-womens-football-body-probes-period-insult) --- --- > **Claim:** The case moved into formal disciplinary proceedings after the association's amateur referee evaluation council reviewed the incident. - **Verdict:** Verified - **Analysis:** The search evidence confirms the association reviewed the incident and escalated the matter through its refereeing council and disciplinary procedures. [straitstimes.com](https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/south-korea-womens-football-body-probes-period-insult) --- --- > **Claim:** The controversy stems from an August 28 match in the WK League between Suwon FC Women and Seoul City Hall. - **Verdict:** Verified - **Analysis:** Reporting confirms the incident took place during an August 28 WK League match between Suwon FC Women and Seoul City Hall. [straitstimes.com](https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/south-korea-womens-football-body-probes-period-insult), [starnewskorea.com](https://www.starnewskorea.com/en/sports/2026/08/29/2026082908575078019) --- --- > **Claim:** During the game, Ji, a veteran midfielder and former Chelsea player, approached the referee to demand a penalty following physical challenges in the box. - **Verdict:** Verified - **Analysis:** Search evidence notes that Ji So-yun is a veteran midfielder and former Chelsea player who approached the referee to demand a penalty after physical challenges in the box. [straitstimes.com](https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/south-korea-womens-football-body-probes-period-insult) --- --- > **Claim:** According to Ji, she overheard the official state over the referee communication system that she had "been touchy since the start" and "must be on her period". - **Verdict:** Verified - **Analysis:** Ji So-yun stated she overheard the official use the referee communication system to say she had been "touchy since the start" and "must be on her period." [straitstimes.com](https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/south-korea-womens-football-body-probes-period-insult) --- --- > **Claim:** When Ji protested the remark, she was issued a yellow card. - **Verdict:** Verified - **Analysis:** Search results confirm that Ji was shown a yellow card while protesting the incident. [straitstimes.com](https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/south-korea-womens-football-body-probes-period-insult) --- --- > **Claim:** The Korea Women's Football Federation noted that a local euphemism roughly translatable to "girl's day" was utilized. - **Verdict:** Verified - **Analysis:** Reports indicate that a local euphemism roughly translating to "girl's day," used as slang for menstruation, was involved in the exchange. [straitstimes.com](https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/south-korea-womens-football-body-probes-period-insult) --- --- > **Claim:** The Korea Football Association's refereeing department initially stated that the specific word "period" did not appear in official communication logs and that the comment was not explicitly targeted at the player. - **Verdict:** Verified - **Analysis:** The KFA refereeing department initially stated that the specific word "period" did not appear in the official communication logs and that it was not directly targeted at the player. [straitstimes.com](https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/south-korea-womens-football-body-probes-period-insult) --- --- > **Claim:** The official involved similarly argued that her words were part of a private exchange between referees and did not refer to any particular individual. - **Verdict:** Verified - **Analysis:** Search results indicate the official argued the words were part of a private exchange between referees and did not target any specific individual. [straitstimes.com](https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/south-korea-womens-football-body-probes-period-insult) --- --- > **Claim:** The Korea Football Association confirmed that its refereeing council recognized the gravity of the allegations and opted to escalate the matter to the Fair Play Committee. - **Verdict:** Verified - **Analysis:** The KFA confirmed that its refereeing council recognized the seriousness of the allegations and escalated the case to its disciplinary/Fair Play framework. [straitstimes.com](https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/south-korea-womens-football-body-probes-period-insult) --- --- > **Claim:** No specific date for the disciplinary hearing has been publicly announced. - **Verdict:** Verified - **Analysis:** Reports note that while the case has been referred to the disciplinary body, no specific date for the hearing has been publicly announced. [straitstimes.com](https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/south-korea-womens-football-body-probes-period-insult) ---

AI Research Queries

🔍 Ji So-yun" referee menstruation remark Suwon FC Seoul City Hall August 28 WK League
🔍 Korea Women's Football Federation referee "girl's day" menstruation remark Ji So-yun
🔍 Korea Football Association referee communication logs menstruation remark Ji So-yun investigation

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