SEOUL — A domestic soccer referee has faced disciplinary action following an inappropriate incident involving national star Ji So-yun during a domestic women's league fixture earlier this season.

The Korea Football Association (KFA) issued a three-month suspension to the match official after investigating an incident that occurred during an August 28 clash between Suwon FC Women and Seoul City Hall in the WK League.

According to club officials, the referee made derogatory remarks alluding to menstruation while criticizing Ji's demeanor on the pitch, suggesting her emotional response was tied to her menstrual cycle. The veteran midfielder strongly protested the remark by slamming a water bottle to the turf, which subsequently earned her a yellow card from the official.

The three-month ban represents the minimum disciplinary threshold stipulated by KFA guidelines for match officials found guilty of making sexually offensive or harassing comments, which allow for suspensions ranging from three months up to one year for minor or inadvertent offenses.

Despite the penalty being at the lower end of the disciplinary spectrum, Suwon FC announced it would not pursue an appeal. Club representatives noted that management and players want to keep their focus entirely on the pitch as the team approaches a crucial stretch of postseason fixtures.

Suwon FC, which captured the regular-season crown, is set to contest the championship finals on November 15 and 18. Additionally, the club will feature in the inaugural W Korea Cup final on November 21 as they chase a historic domestic double.

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]