Ji So-yun period insult claim probed in South Korea

South Korea's women's football federation said Monday it was investigating allegations that a referee insulted former Chelsea midfielder Ji So-yun during a domestic match by referring to menstruation.

The incident happened on Friday during a WK League game between Ji's Suwon FC Women and Seoul City Hall. Ji was booked after she confronted the official over the alleged comment.

Ji, 35, told South Korean sports outlet SPORTS-G that she heard the referee make the remark over the communication system used by match officials. She said the incident began after she demanded a penalty for her side.

Ji alleged that after she approached the referee, the official said: “She's been touchy since the start, she must be on her period.”

The Korea Football Association's refereeing department said the word “period” had not been used in the radio communication and that the remarks had not specifically referred to Ji, according to broadcaster SBS. The Korea Women's Football Federation said the term used was “girl's day”, a euphemism referring to menstruation.

Suwon FC formally asked the Korea Women's Football Federation and the Korea Football Association on Sunday to establish the facts and take appropriate action.

The federation said that once the facts are established, necessary action should follow and practical measures should be introduced to prevent a recurrence. It said the issue was related to the dignity and respect of players, trust among league members and the fair operation of WK League matches.