A Mexican man has lost his job after a Korean influencer captured him making a racist gesture at the World Cup.
Last week, YouTuber Yoon Su Jin—who also goes by Ino Cat—was filming at a match between South Korea and the Czech Republic when the man, Ulises Fernando Bernal Miramontes, looked into her camera and pulled the corners of his eyes, a gesture that’s offensive to people of Asian descent.
“POV: You traveled across the world for the World Cup… and experienced racism,” Jin captioned the Instagram reel.
After the clip went viral, Miramontes, who was the president of the College of Geomatics and Topographic Surveying Engineers of the State of Jalisco, known as CITGEJ, issued an apology.
"I sincerely regret everything this situation has caused. I have taken time to reflect on what happened, and I understand the responsibility [I have] in this moment," he wrote, per Yahoo Sports.
"Throughout my personal and professional life, I've always tried to treat others with respect and I will continue working to ensure that my actions consistently reflect those values.”
CITGEJ itself later issued a statement, saying they “are deeply saddened” what happened and have since launched an investigation into the incident. The association also revealed that Miramontes no longer held his position.
"In accordance with our statutes and regulations, the matter will be reviewed through the corresponding internal mechanisms," the organization added, emphasizing that it is dedicated to “promoting a culture of respect, hospitality, and healthy coexistence for all people.”
