University professor files official complaint to FIFA saying the Chinese fans booed during South Korea's national anthem and pointed lasers at the Korean players

Several disturbing incidents were reported in the 2026 World Cup second-round qualifier match held on November 21, where South Korea triumphed over China with a 3-0 victory. These occurrences have raised concerns and become a discussion point following the match.

Green laser beams were aimed at player Son Heung Min's face as he prepared for a penalty kick. Similarly, player Lee Kang In was targeted multiple times with green laser beams as he prepared for a free kick.

Before the match began, some Chinese spectators stirred controversy by jeering and booing when the South Korean national anthem played and engaging in altercations with Korean fans holding the Taegeukgi (Korean flag).

In response to these incidents, Professor Seo Kyung Deok of Sungshin Women's University filed an official complaint to the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) about the rude behavior of Chinese football fans. 

Professor Seo shared photos on social media showing the South Korean players exposed to laser beams and emphasized that such "unacceptable actions to disrupt the game" should not occur. He urged FIFA to take action, stressing that "jeering during the opponent's national anthem, laser attacks on key players of the opposing team, and severe insults towards the opposing team's supporters" are clear violations of FIFA's spirit.

Criticism of the ill-mannered behavior of Chinese spectators has also emerged within Chinese media. Journalist Li Shixian criticized Chinese fans' actions on social media, questioning whether they would accept similar treatment if the Chinese national team faced jeering during an away game in South Korea. He reprimanded the lack of sportsmanship among local fans, urging them not to bring laser pointers or similar items to the stadium.

Even within Chinese social media circles, there were individuals voicing their disapproval of the laser incident involving the Korean national team. These sentiments included comments such as "the use of lasers against the South Korean national team went too far" and "We lost the game and also lost the good sportsmanship spirit."