The 2026 FIFA World Cup was supposed to be a celebration — a once-in-a-generation tournament hosted across North America, bringing billions of fans together under the banner of sport. But on June 11, at the Akron Stadium in Zapopan, Mexico, one man decided to use that global stage to remind the world that racism is still alive and well. And the world answered back.
What Happened
South Korean content creator Yoon Su-jin — known online as InoCat — was livestreaming during South Korea’s opening match against the Czech Republic. While filming herself celebrating the team’s 2-1 victory, a man standing directly behind her turned to the camera and made a “slant-eye” gesture, pulling the corners of his eyes to mockingly imitate Asian facial features.
That man was later identified as Ulises Fernando Bernal Miramontes, president of the Colegio de Ingenieros Topógrafos y Geomáticos de Jalisco — the Jalisco Association of Surveyors and Geomatics Engineers. A professional. A leader in his field. And, as the world now knows, someone who thought it was acceptable to racially mock a foreign guest in his own country.
The video spread instantly. Within hours it had millions of views. The outrage was swift, global, and — for once — it actually led to consequences.
This Is Not Tolerated
Let’s be direct: what Ulises Bernal did was racist. There is no gray area, no misinterpretation, no cultural excuse. The “slant-eye” gesture is a dehumanizing caricature with a long and painful history of being used to demean and ridicule people of Asian descent. It is not a joke. It is not playful banter. It is racism — and it was performed on a global stage, in a host country that invited the world to come and be welcomed.
Yoon Su-jin came to Mexico as a guest, as a fan, as a human being who loves football. She was not hurting anyone. She was celebrating. And Ulises Bernal decided that her presence, her face, her identity, was something to be mocked.
That is not who Mexico is. That is not what football is for. And the world made sure he knew it.
Consequences Followed — As They Should
The Jalisco engineering association’s Honor and Justice Committee held an emergency meeting within hours of the video going viral. The verdict was unanimous: Ulises Bernal was dismissed from his position as president. The institution moved quickly to separate itself from his actions — because when you hold a position of leadership, your behavior reflects on everyone beneath that banner.
Bernal also released a public apology in both English and Spanish. “Whenever a foreigner visits Mexico, we want them to feel at home,” he said, “and that is the exact opposite of what I did.” He took responsibility and resigned to protect the institution from further association with his actions.
Was the apology sincere? That’s for him to prove over time. What matters right now is the message that was sent: racism will cost you. Your career, your reputation, your position — none of it is worth the few seconds of “humor” you thought you were having at someone else’s expense.
Mexico’s Fans Spoke Up Too
One of the most powerful responses to this incident came not from officials or the media — but from Mexican fans themselves. Across social media, Mexicans expressed deep shame and anger at what Bernal did. Many reached out to Korean fans and creators with apologies. The message was clear: this man does not represent us.
And that matters. Because racism thrives in silence, in shrugs, in “it was just a joke.” What kills it is community rejection — when the people around the racist refuse to laugh, refuse to excuse it, and refuse to let it slide.
Football Belongs to Everyone
The World Cup is the most-watched sporting event on Earth. It belongs to every nation, every culture, every face. When someone uses that platform to demean another human being based on their ethnicity, they aren’t just insulting one person — they are spitting on the spirit of what the tournament is supposed to represent.
Yoon Su-jin came to celebrate the beautiful game. Ulises Bernal tried to make her feel like she didn’t belong. He failed. She’s still here. Her community showed up. The world showed up. And he lost his position.
That is the right outcome. And it should be the standard, not the exception.
Final Word
We are Diaries of a Pedestrian — a platform built on street-level truth, on the lives of everyday people moving through cities, working hard, and trying to belong somewhere. Racism is the antithesis of everything we stand for.
What Ulises Bernal did at the 2026 World Cup is not tolerated. Not in football. Not in Mexico. Not anywhere.
To Yoon Su-jin: the world sees you. You did nothing wrong. Keep streaming, keep celebrating, keep showing up — because you belong here just as much as anyone.
Have thoughts on this? Share them in the comments below. Stand against racism — on the streets, in the stadiums, and everywhere in between.