"Not 'Ni hao,' but 'Miho'": Fan Explains Son Heung-min Racism Controversy

He explained that it was the Spanish phrase "mi hijo"
Meaning "my son"... Denies allegations of racism

A fan who was suspected of making a racist remark to Son Heung-min, who plays for Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles FC, posted a lengthy statement to explain himself. He was reportedly heard shouting “ni hao” at Son, but said he had actually shouted “miho.”

On the 27th (local time), Fan A posted a statement on “LAFC Fans,” an LAFC fan channel. He denied allegations that he had made a racist remark to Son.

Son Heung-min, who currently plays for Los Angeles FC in the U.S. AFP-Yonhap News Agency

The controversy began with a video filmed after LAFC’s match against LA Galaxy at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles the previous day. The teams drew 2-2, and footage captured Fan A, wearing an LAFC jersey, repeatedly shouting toward Son after the match. The video spread among social media users through social networking services (SNS) and other platforms.

Some fans speculated that Fan A had shouted “ni hao” at Son. Criticism mounted that repeatedly greeting Son, who is Korean, in Chinese was racist. The U.S. outlet the New York Post also reported on the video that day, calling it “an insensitive and racist act.”

As the controversy grew, Fan A posted a statement on a fan website disputing the allegations. He claimed that what he had shouted was “miho,” not “ni hao.” “Miho” is short for the Spanish phrase “mi hijo,” meaning “my son.” He appears to have come up with the term because Son, the surname in Son Heung-min’s name, sounds like the English word “son.”

He also said another fan beside him at the time had mistaken his words for “ni hao,” and reiterated, “When she asked me if I had said that (ni hao), I said no. I didn’t even know what it meant.” Fan A emphasized that he had held a season ticket since LAFC was founded and had traveled to away games, and expressed regret over the criticism currently being directed at him.

He asked people who could explain what kind of person he was to leave comments. He added that he had also contacted the club’s front office directly and was waiting for a response.

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