Lee Kang-in’s debut goal for Atlético Madrid during a 2–0 La Liga victory over Málaga on August 20, 2026, sparked online criticism after a commentator on a fan broadcast made a gesture simulating slanted eyes. The incident, captured on the EN ROJIBLANCO YouTube channel, has reignited discussions regarding racial insensitivity and anti-Asian bias in European football.
The Incident During Atlético Madrid’s Opener
According to reports from OSEN, Lee Kang-in entered the match as a second-half substitute at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium in Madrid. Shortly after the 25-year-old midfielder scored his debut goal to help secure the 2-0 win, a participant on a live-streamed Atlético fan broadcast celebrated by pulling the skin at the corners of both eyes outward with index fingers. The gesture is widely recognized as a derogatory caricature mocking East Asian facial features.
Viewers quickly flooded the video’s comment section to flag the behavior. Multiple accounts pointed out the exact timestamp of the broadcast, noting the occurrence at 1 hour, 51 minutes, and 58 seconds into the footage. Commenters directly challenged the broadcast participant, with one user writing in Spanish to ask if they understood that pulling their eyes was a discriminatory act targeting Asians.
Online Backlash and Calls for Accountability
The comment section accumulated numerous responses demanding accountability. Several users labeled the participant a racist, while others stated they had submitted formal reports regarding the incident. One user left a timestamp marker alongside a call for the individual to take responsibility for their actions. While some viewers used strong language or criticized the commentator’s appearance, others bypassed the controversy entirely to praise Lee’s athletic performance on the pitch.
The incident follows a similar high-profile controversy months prior during the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, where a local fan directed a comparable gesture at Korean supporters during a match between South Korea and Mexico. That incident prompted an apology from FIFA, highlighting a persistent pattern of inappropriate behavior targeting Asian individuals at major international sports events.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When did Lee Kang-in score his debut goal for Atlético Madrid? Lee scored on August 20, 2026, during a La Liga match against Málaga at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.
- What gesture sparked the online criticism? A participant on a fan broadcast pulled the corners of their eyes outward with their fingers immediately after Lee’s goal, a gesture widely classified as anti-Asian racism.
- How did viewers respond to the broadcast? Viewers utilized the video’s comment section to highlight exact timestamps, explain why the gesture constitutes racial discrimination, and demand accountability from the individual involved.
Keep reading