They Called His Player a 'Monkey'... The Real Reason Park Hangseo Was Angry at Spectators

DJ Management issued an official statement on November 6
Player John Baggio subjected to abuse and insults about his appearance
"Sought to protect his player and fulfill his responsibility as a coach"

Park Hang-seo, who is active in Thailand's second-tier professional football league, has explained why he reacted angrily to spectators after a recent match. He reportedly protested not only against mockery directed at him but also to stop abuse and racist insults hurled at one of his players.

Park's agency, DJ Management, described the confrontation with spectators at a Thai stadium in a statement released on November 6. The agency said it had disclosed what happened based on official statements submitted to the Football Association of Thailand by Park and his player, John Baggio.

On November 1, Kanchanaburi Power FC, led by Park, drew 2-2 away to Pattaya United in the ninth round of the 2026-27 Thai League 2 season at Nongprue Stadium in Pattaya, Thailand.

The incident occurred after the match. As Park was heading to the locker room with his team, he got into a heated exchange with some spectators. Video from the scene showed Park strongly protesting toward the stands. Thai media had earlier reported that some spectators called Park "Kimchi Man," a derogatory term for Koreans, and hurled other insults at him.

Coach Park Hangseo during his time with the Vietnam national team. Park, who currently works in Thailand's second-tier professional football league, explained through his agency why he reacted angrily to spectators after a recent match. Yonhap News Agency

However, DJ Management said Park's immediate reason for protesting to the spectators was not the mockery directed at him, but racist remarks targeting player John Baggio. The agency said Park was also subjected to insults targeting his Korean nationality during the exchange, escalating the situation further.

According to the agency, Baggio, who is from Madagascar, was repeatedly subjected to verbal abuse and insults about his appearance by some opposing team's spectators during the match. His statement said the insults continued after the match as he was heading to the locker room, including the racist slur "monkey."

DJ Management said, "Coach Park Hang-seo understands better than anyone his responsibility as a coach to keep his emotions in check and act prudently in any situation." It added, "However, he wanted to fulfill his responsibility as a coach to protect his player and not turn a blind eye when the player was being unfairly insulted."

Park, however, does not want the incident to lead to a negative perception of Thai football as a whole. The agency said Park respects Thai football and local fans and intends to continue fulfilling his role as coach of Kanchanaburi Power FC.

DJ Management emphasized, "We hope people will understand not only that this incident involved racist insults directed at Park and his emotional response, but also the situation his player was in beforehand and why Park protested to the spectators."

The Football Association of Thailand has begun investigating the incident. The association is gathering relevant materials and confirming what happened, and plans to examine the circumstances further through proceedings scheduled for November 10.

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