With Chile in Suwon for an international friendly against South Korea, 24-year-old midfielder Diego Valdes, who plays his club ball for Morelia in Liga MX, played the most abhorrent sort of tourist while posing for a photograph with a South Korean fan using the derogatory ‘slant-eyed’ gesture.
As was extensively covered during the World Cup after a few Mexico fans made the racist gesture following South Korea’s victory over Germany, stop fucking doing this.
Dear @Telemundo @TelemundoSports & @TLMDPR , whoever this guy is on the left needs to get fired ASAP for being a racist on air. If someone were to say or make racist gestures about Latinx folks we'd ALL be up in arms & this is no different #SayNoToRacism #TelemundoMundial pic.twitter.com/SvzSednPAd
— Miguel Hernandez (@Techivist) June 27, 2018
The same dumbassery happened in 2017 when Colombia’s Edwin Cardona made the gesture during a friendly against South Korea, and captain Ki Sung-yueng was forced to explain why it was “racist" and “unacceptable” despite Cardona insisting that it was not his intention to be disrespectful.
Valdes said the same shit: “In relation to the photograph that has appeared on social media, it was never my intention to offend and I offer my apologies to anyone that could have been offended.” That's 51.25 South Koreans, Diego.
Chile’s manager refused to address the situation, and Valdes started the match from his defensive midfield position.
Really weak response from Chile coach Reinaldo Rueda when asked at today's press conference about Diego Valdes' racist gesture in a photo with South Korean fans: "Are we going to talk about football or things not related to football?"
No word yet on any potential punishment. pic.twitter.com/hq5Z8V1anw— Matias Grez (@matias_grez) September 10, 2018
Well, karma’s a bitch, because here’s Tottenham’s Son Heung-min posterizing Valdes in a way that brings us great joy. Sorry if you're offended.
This is absolutely filthy from Heung Min Son
— BeaksterHD (@BeaksterHD) September 11, 2018