China vs. South Korea: A Football Match Turns Political

On February 19, 2025, the Chinese Super League team Shandong Taishan was scheduled to play against the South Korean team Ulsan HD in the AFC Champions League. However, Shandong Taishan suddenly withdrew from the competition, citing “player health problems.” This abrupt decision has sparked widespread speculation that the real reason for the withdrawal was political provocation by Chinese fans during a previous match.

In a match held on February 11, Shandong Taishan faced Gwangju FC in Jinan, Shandong. During this game, Chinese fans displayed photos of Chun Doo-hwan, a former South Korean dictator known for his brutal suppression of the Gwangju Massacre in 1980. This provocative act angered South Korean fans and led to a series of events that ultimately resulted in Shandong Taishan’s withdrawal.

According to the AFC, “According to Article 5.2 of the ‘AFC Elite League 2024/25 Competition Rules,’ the Asian Football Association confirmed that China’s Shandong Taishan was originally scheduled to be on February 19, 2025, to face South Korea’s Ulsan HD in the East Asian League stage event held by Ulsan HD is now considered to be withdrawing from this AFC Elite League.”

The Political Provocation and Its Aftermath

The match between Shandong Taishan and Ulsan HD was canceled. Ulsan HD, the home team, released a message stating that as Shandong Taishan withdrew, the entry tickets previously purchased by fans would be canceled and refunded. Shandong Taishan itself announced that “the team suffered serious physical discomfort. After the medical team’s assessment, the players were unable to form a team to participate in the 8th round of the AFC Elite League match with Ulsan HD Football Club.”

However, the explanation of player health issues was met with skepticism. It is unusual for a team that was playing normally just a few days prior to suddenly be unable to field a full squad due to injuries. The entire Shandong Taishan team had arrived in South Korea to prepare for the game, and all signs indicated that the players were fit to compete.

Chinese fans did not buy the team’s “official statement.” Rumors circulated on WeChat and Weibo that the real reason for the withdrawal was the provocative actions of Chinese fans during the February 11 match against Gwangju FC. Some Chinese fans held up photos of Chun Doo-hwan, the dictator who brutally suppressed the Gwangju Massacre, angering South Korean fans.

In response to the provocation, South Korean fans reportedly prepared to hold up slogans related to sensitive political issues, such as the June 4th Incident, during the match on February 19. The AFC may also have considered punishing Shandong Taishan for the provocation, leading to the team’s decision to withdraw.

Why Did South Korean Fans Fight Back?

The aftermath of the incident has not ended. On Weibo, a Chinese netizen claimed that he had seen “more than a dozen cars” of South Korean fans, who came to the stadium with photos of “tanks” and went to Taishan, Shandong to announce his temporary withdrawal, due to the triggering of the Asian Champions League rules. The “active withdrawal” clause in the “active withdrawal” clause will be required to zero all the AFC points, the results of the games that have been held will be invalid, and they will also face a fine of at least US$50,000, and the possibility of cancellation of the AFC for the next 1 to 3 seasons. For the qualification of the Football League, the subsidy for the AFC Champions League must also be refunded and the commercial losses of the organizers, AFC, business partners, and other participating teams must be compensated. The specific amount of compensation is subject to the ruling of the AFC.

For football teams, fines are small, and disqualification from participating in the competition will be huge, and losing the qualification to participate in the AFC Champions League means that Shandong Taishan will lose the opportunity to appear in the top Asian arena and show its strength, whether it is for the team to compete. Improvement of the level, international popularity, or the most realistic, sponsor considerations, commercial interests, etc. will bring huge losses; in terms of team buying and strengthening, it may also be because of the lack of opportunity to appear in top events. Many players are unwilling to vote in Shandong Taishan.

Chinese fans generally do not accept the team’s statement that “the players are physically unwell,” but believe that political issues are the main reason for withdrawal. Some fans on Weibo accused Shandong Taishan of withdrawing from the competition by themselves, believing that if South Korean fans really give a sensitive one Political image slogans, China can also complain to the AFC’s opponents fans. Now that Shandong Taishan withdrew from the competition, it will let opponents from South Korea and even other countries in the future know that the Chinese team can only “suffer from silence.” If it happens again in the future Wouldn’t this make Chinese teams unable to play international competitions in the future?

But there are also refutations point out that the bottom line is the responsibility for provoking fans who cited Chun Doo-hwan’s photos at the beginning. Especially in terms of the current situation, Chinese fans use other countries. The provocative actions of historical scars are even more ironic, and a Weibo message pointed out directly:

“I don’t know what kind of sensitive skin and physique you have. Are you afraid of revenge when playing this kind of meme? When others take revenge in Korean clubs or national teams in the future? People don’t need to raise pictures, put some numbers and you will explode on the spot… .”

Weibo

Someone else echoed:

“Even without writing numbers, you can be nervous for several days just by holding a piece of white paper.”

Weibo

There are also Weibo comments that go even more incisively:

“I have scabs all over my body, but I have to run to uncover other people’s scabs.”

Weibo

“You see, no one dares to say what Koreans want to raise, it’s so sad.”

Weibo

There are also comments familiar with the operation of the AFC rules pointing out that the behavior of Shandong Taishan fans has been protested by Gwangju FC to the AFC. The AFC is likely to punish Shandong Taishan for this matter, because political propaganda is carried out in football games. Taboo, even if Shandong Taishan plays normally, it may still be punished. Even if you win the game and get the qualification to advance, it is possible to be cancelled. Instead of facing the risk of uncontrollable situations, it is better to withdraw from the competition and stop loss by yourself – just like other Weibo The comment mentioned: “The Korean club fights back and the Tarzan Club disappears in China.”

Politics on the Football Field

Football has long been a stage for political expression and controversy. The incident involving Shandong Taishan and South Korean fans is just one of many examples where politics and sports intersect. FIFA and various football associations emphasize that football should remain separate from politics, but in reality, the two are often intertwined.

In recent years, there have been several high-profile incidents where political statements were made during football matches. For instance, during the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Swiss national team players Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri made gestures celebrating Kosovo’s independence, which angered Serbian fans and led to fines from FIFA.

“Kosovo players who had already played in the European Cup for Switzerland at that time could no longer represent Kosovo.”

Weibo

Similarly, during a 2014 European Cup qualifier, a drone displaying the words “Greater Albania” appeared in the stadium, triggering a conflict between Serbian and Albanian players and spectators. The game was eventually suspended, and the younger brother of the Albanian Prime Minister was arrested for his involvement.

In the United States, political expressions on the football field are also not uncommon. For example, during the 2020 NFL season, players and coaches took a knee during the national anthem to protest racial injustice and police brutality. This act, inspired by former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, sparked a national debate about the intersection of sports and politics.

In Taiwan, political expressions on the football field are also a sensitive issue. During the 2024 Paris Olympics, Taiwanese spectators were banned from bringing the flag of the Republic of China, towels with “TAIWAN,” and slogans “Come on Taiwan.” Earlier in November 2016, when the Taiwanese football team faced Cambodia in Kaohsiung, a flag with the words “ALL HAIL FORMOSA” appeared in the audience, leading to a fine from the Asian Football Confederation.

The Disorderly Behavior of Chinese Fans

Political expressions on the football field are one thing, but disorderly behavior by fans is another. Chinese fans have a history of disruptive behavior during football matches. For example, on June 15, 2023, during a friendly match between the Argentine national team and the Australian national team in Beijing, a fan broke into the stadium and hugged Argentine captain Lionel Messi. The fan later stated that he did this because he “feels cool” and saved the expensive and sky-high price of seeking a photo with Messi in a formal way.

Fans’ entry is another act that FIFA and football associations have strongly prohibited, and it is more important to the safety of the players, but other Chinese fans’ comments on the intruder are mostly praised and surrounded.

Later, in 2024, Messi went to Hong Kong to play an exhibition match with the club Inter Miami CF, but due to a leg injury, Messi did not end up, which led to overwhelming abuse from Hong Kong and Chinese fans. At that time, even the Chinese official media CCTV They all suddenly posted photos of Messi’s old rival Cristiano Ronaldo on Weibo and praised it, suspected that they were using praise to Ronaldo, who once said that China was the second hometown, to belittle Messi; even if Messi shot the video himself Explaining the injury situation, Chinese public opinion still insisted that the video was synthesized and fake.

Lessons for the Future

The incident involving Shandong Taishan and South Korean fans highlights the delicate balance between sports and politics. While football is a global sport that transcends borders, it is also a platform for political expression and controversy. Teams and fans must be mindful of the potential consequences of their actions, as political provocation can lead to severe repercussions, including fines, disqualification, and damage to a team’s reputation.

For U.S. readers, the intersection of sports and politics is a familiar concept. Whether it’s NFL players taking a knee during the national anthem or political slogans on jerseys, the United States has seen its share of controversies. The key takeaway from the Shandong Taishan incident is the importance of respecting the sensitivities of other cultures and avoiding actions that could be perceived as provocative or disrespectful.

As the world becomes more interconnected, it is essential for sports teams and fans to foster a spirit of mutual respect and understanding. By doing so, they can help ensure that sports remain a unifying force rather than a source of division and conflict.