KFA Opens Disciplinary Case After Alleged Remark to Ji So-yun

The Korea Football Association has opened disciplinary proceedings following an alleged remark by a referee during a WK League match involving Suwon FC Women captain Ji So-yun. The Guardian reported that the incident occurred in Suwon's game against Seoul City Hall on August 28 and has since prompted scrutiny of how female players are treated within South Korean football.

The dispute began around the 31st minute after Ji appealed for a foul, believing she had been subjected to repeated rough challenges. Referee Bae Sun-young is alleged to have made a comment over the match officials' radio system that was interpreted as a reference to menstruation after describing Ji as sensitive. Ji said she overheard the exchange, while match footage showed her visibly upset during a conversation with Bae.

Ji received a yellow card after confronting the referee. She then threw a water bottle while approaching the Suwon bench. According to The Guardian, Bae moved toward Ji and appeared ready to show a red card before ultimately issuing another yellow. The reporting did not state that Ji was sent off.

Bae denied making the alleged remark after the match and later said the exchange had been a private conversation among officials. The KFA's refereeing department said the word period was not used and maintained that the comments were not directed at Ji. Reports have instead alleged that the expression girl's day was used. Those competing accounts have not yet been resolved.

Suwon asked both the Korea Women's Football Federation and the KFA to investigate. The KFA has referred the case to its fair play committee under referee regulations, citing the seriousness of the matter. The committee is expected to hear explanations from the people involved, review the incident and decide whether disciplinary action is warranted. The association also said it would strengthen education aimed at fostering respect among WK League players, referees and other participants.

The Korea Pro-Footballers Association has called the episode a serious human-rights issue and an abuse of refereeing authority rather than a routine on-field disagreement. It has sought Bae's expulsion and broader reform of the refereeing system. The controversy also follows a dispute last year in which South Korea's women's national team threatened to boycott the 2026 Women's Asian Cup over conditions the players described as discriminatory. The KFA said in February that matter had been resolved; the new disciplinary review remains ongoing, with no final finding yet announced.