Seoul, February 13th – Gwangju FC, a team in South Korea’s K League 1, announced on Tuesday that it would take strong measures in response to provocative actions by Shandong Taishan fans during their recent AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE) group stage match in China.
The controversy arose during the seventh round of the 2024-2025 ACLE East Zone group stage match held on February 11th at the Jinan Olympic Sports Center in Jinan, where Gwangju FC played as the away team against Shandong Taishan. Images circulated online showing Shandong Taishan fans displaying banners featuring the image of the late former South Korean President Chun Doo-hwan towards the away fans, sparking outrage.
Gwangju FC officials stated that this action cannot be simply dismissed as a form of cheering. Instead, they view it as a deliberate act of mockery and belittlement directed at the city of Gwangju and, by extension, the entire nation of South Korea.
Considering the historical significance of this figure in modern Korean history, the actions of the Shandong Taishan fans were clearly intentional, a Gwangju FC representative stated. This has caused deep distress and offense to the citizens of Gwangju and the people of South Korea.
The club has not yet specified the exact measures they will take, but their statement indicates a firm commitment to addressing the issue and seeking appropriate redress for the perceived insult. The incident is likely to further strain relations between the two clubs and could potentially lead to sanctions from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
This incident highlights the potential for political and historical tensions to spill over into sporting events, underscoring the need for vigilance and sensitivity from fans and clubs alike. Further developments are expected as Gwangju FC pursues its response to the incident.
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