According to SBS News, midfielder John Baggio, who is from Madagascar, was mocked by a spectator during Pattaya United – Kanchanaburi FC in Thai League 2. The same man also insulted coach Park Hang-seo. The Thai club has strongly condemned this racist behaviour.
The images circulated on social media. After Kanchanaburi FC’s 2-2 draw at Pattaya United in Thai League 2, an opposing spectator targeted coach Park Hang-seo in the stands, SBS News reports. According to local media cited by the broadcaster, the same spectator also made disparaging remarks mocking the height of midfielder John Baggio, a Kanchanaburi player from Madagascar.
Kanchanaburi FC responded with an official statement strongly condemning the spectator’s racist behaviour, according to SBS News.
A “Kimchi man” in the stands
The footage, filmed and shared online, shows a spectator whom SBS News describes as probably a white foreigner. The man repeatedly says “Kimchi man”, mixed with insults towards Park Hang-seo. The Kanchanaburi FC coach first responded with a finger-to-lips gesture asking for silence, before making a fist gesture and challenging the spectator to come down from the stands, again according to SBS News.
Club officials and players stepped in to hold the coach back and lead him towards the dressing room, avoiding a physical confrontation, SBS News specifies.
Baggio, target of the mockery
The incident was not limited to the altercation with the coach. According to local media, the spectator also targeted John Baggio, making disparaging remarks about his height. The midfielder, who is from Madagascar, plays for Kanchanaburi FC.
In its official statement, cited by SBS News, the club wrote: “Regardless of origin or skin color, everyone deserves to be respected”.
An already tense context
The episode comes amid a delicate climate around Kanchanaburi FC. In September, in the context of refereeing controversies in Thai League 2, Park Hang-seo had sharply criticised Thai football, SBS News reports. The coach had then said: “Now I understand why Thai football frequently loses to Vietnam.”
An investigation or a decision is expected concerning the author of the racist insults.