"The One Outraged by Discrimination Now Spreads Hate: Korean YouTuber Uses Messi Jersey as Cleaning Rag"

Gained Attention After "Slant-Eye" Gesture from Mexican Spectator

"Opponent of Discrimination Now Perpetuates Another Form of Hate"

A Korean influencer who was invited by FIFA to the Korea-Mexico match after being subjected to racist abuse from Mexican spectators while watching a World Cup game has sparked controversy by posting a video mocking Lionel Messi.

On July 20, the influencer "Inonyang" (real name: Yoon Sujin) uploaded content to her YouTube channel in which she uses an Argentina national team jersey, bearing Messi’s name and number 10, as a cleaning rag—placing it in a shoe cabinet and stepping on it, as well as using it to wipe windows and the living room floor.

This video appears to target the international criticism directed toward some Argentina players, who engaged in a brawl with Spanish players after losing 0-1 to Spain in the World Cup final.

Reactions from football fans who viewed the video were divided. Some sympathized with Inonyang, expressing "I feel the same way," while others condemned the act as "an insulting and rude behavior toward the Argentina national team and its people." Some pointed out the contradiction, noting that she herself was a victim of racism just a month ago but is now producing content that mocks a foreign player, saying, "A person who opposed discrimination is now reproducing another form of hatred."

Previously, Inonyang gained attention last month when she revealed that she was subjected to the "slant-eye" racist gesture by a Mexican spectator standing behind her while filming a support video during the group stage match between Korea and Czechia at the 2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup.

At the time, FIFA identified the perpetrator, blocked his ticket account, and later invited Inonyang to the official Korea-Mexico match event held on the 'World Day for Countering Hate Speech', where a message against racism and promoting respect was also delivered. The perpetrator was identified as Ulises Fernando Bernal Miramontes, president of the Civil, Topography, Geometry, and Engineering Association (CITGEJ) of Jalisco, Mexico.

As the controversy intensified, he posted an apology video on Instagram, stating, "I wanted foreigners visiting Mexico to feel at home, but I did the exact opposite," and added, "I sincerely apologize to the influencer, to the Korean community, and to the Mexican people who were disappointed by my actions." He also resigned from his position as association president.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.