Greeting Lee Kang-in, "Let's go, Chinese"... PSG fan faces backlash for racial discrimination

"I Kang-in, Victim of Racism"
"Damage to French Football Image"

Lee Kang-in, a football player playing for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in French professional football, is embroiled in controversy after receiving racist remarks from a fan at his team's training ground.

On the 27th (local time), according to French sports media Made in Parisien and others, a video containing audio of a man saying to Lee Kang-in at the PSG training ground, "Allez mon Chinois!" ("Let's go, Chinese!") recently spread on X (formerly Twitter).

The video appears to have been taken at a PSG open training event on the 25th. On that day, players exchanged high-fives with fans, and during this time, the problematic remark was directed at Lee Kang-in. Calling an Asian person Chinese when they are not is a racist expression stemming from the perception that "all East Asians look the same." Netizens who saw the video responded with various comments such as "The club should take active measures," "Racist remarks at the training ground," and "Actions that lower the player's morale."

The football specialized media Tribuna.com pointed out, "Lee Kang-in is a victim of racist insults from a PSG fan," and "This incident damages the image of French football."

PSG fans have caused controversy by making racist remarks towards Lee Kang-in.
[Image source=Instagram]

Lee Kang-in also experienced racism last year while playing for Mallorca in Spain, when he was called "Chino" by coach Javier Aguirre during training. At that time, Aguirre said to Lee Kang-in, "Chino, what are you doing?" ("¿Qu? haces, Chino?").

Meanwhile, this is not the first time players active in Europe have faced racism. Son Heung-min's Tottenham teammate Rodrigo Bentancur caused controversy by saying during the Uruguayan TV program "Por la Camiseta," "He and his cousin look exactly the same."

Also, Hwang Hee-chan of Wolverhampton received racist remarks from an opposing player during a pre-season friendly match against Como 1907 in Italy's Serie A last July. The player told his teammate, "Ignore Hwang Hee-chan. He thinks he is Jackie Chan." "Jackie Chan" is the English name of Hong Kong actor 성룡 (Seong Ryong) and is often used as a racist attack against Asians.

At that time, Hwang Hee-chan also stated on Instagram, "Racism is unacceptable in sports and in any part of life." Ultimately, Wolverhampton officially protested to the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), and the opposing player was suspended for 10 matches.