Ki goal celebration exposes Scottish racists
Ki’s ‘monkey-type’ celebration after scoring against Japan at the Asian Cup attracted attention with some claiming that it was derogatory reference to Japan.
The Asian Football Confederation made enquires into the incident but after hearing the Korean view won’t take any action against the Celtic midfielder.
“The treatment he got from the Scottish league, especially in the away games, the people who made noises like the sound of the monkeys in Scotland when he played away games, that is something he wanted to highlight,” a Korea Football Association spokesman told ESPN.
“Even though they call him a monkey as an Asian, he wanted to show how strong they are in Asia. That was the main intention.”
In November St Johnstone issued a statement denouncing supporters who were heard on television making barking noises when Ki was on the ball.
Motherwell fans were also heard chanting ‘Cha Du-Ri ate my dog’ during their home match with Celtic in September.
The Japanese Football Association accepted its Korean counterparts’ explanation of the incident and, like the AFC, has no intention of pursuing the matter further. The AFC also confirmed there has been no contact from FIFA over the issue.
“We are aware of the goal celebration but we don’t think it impacts on any country,” AFC tournament director Tokuaki Suzuki told ESPN.
“The issue, according to my understanding, has already been resolved after communication between the Japan Football Association and the Korea Football Association.
“AFC will not take any legal action in this matter.”
Earlier this season SFA President George Peat condemned members of the Tartan Army for booing the Liechtenstein national anthem before a European Championship qualifier at Hampden.
Whether the increasingly tiresome Peat will deal with the racist abuse of Ki or the chants aimed at Hearts midfielder Rudi Skacel remains to be seen.
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