Mexican Engineer Apologises After Racist Gesture in World Cup Match
A clip of Mexican engineer Ulises Fernando Bérral Miramontes holding his eyes in a slanted‑eyed pose during the World Cup game between the Republic of Korea and the Czech Republic drew furious reactions online. The video, posted by South‑Korean content creator Yoon Su‑jin, was shared more than 120,000 times and elicited over 65,000 comments on Instagram.
The gesture, widely seen as a derogatory reference to East Asian eye shapes, caused a wave of condemnation from viewers, many of whom expressed disgust and reminded viewers that the action did not represent all Mexicans. The backlash spurred official statements, with Bernal confirming he had been removed from his position as president of the College of Geomatics and Topographic Surveying Engineers of Jalisco.
In a public apology posted on Sunday, Bernal admitted that the video had “generated a wide range of reactions” and offered sincere regret for the situation. He stated, “I have taken time to reflect on what happened and I understand the responsibility I have in this moment.” He also promised to continue acting with respect in his professional and personal life.
The match itself saw South Korea win 2‑1 after overcoming a one‑goal deficit, a result that further brightened the Korean side’s commencement of the tournament.
