A spectator accused of directing a racist remark at South Korea captain Son Heung-min during an MLS match has denied the allegation, saying he shouted "mijo," not "ni hao."
The fan posted a lengthy explanation Tuesday on LAFC Fans, an official online communication channel for Los Angeles FC supporters, insisting that claims he had used the Chinese greeting "ni hao" toward Son were false.
The New York Post had earlier reported that video from LAFC's 2-2 draw with the LA Galaxy at BMO Stadium on Sunday appeared to show a spectator repeatedly shouting "ni hao" at Son as he left the field, criticizing the behavior as insensitive and racist.
Addressing East Asians as Chinese while disregarding their actual nationality is widely regarded in sports as a form of racial stereotyping.
As the controversy grew, the spectator said the word he had actually shouted was the Spanish term "mijo," a contraction of "mi hijo," meaning "my son" and commonly used as an affectionate expression.
He said the remark was a play on Son's surname, which is identical to the English word "son."
A review of the video appears to lend some plausibility to his explanation, with the shouted word sounding shorter than "ni hao" and closer to "mijo."
The fan also said another spectator sitting beside him had asked at the time whether he had shouted "ni hao," and that he immediately denied doing so.
He described himself as a season-ticket holder who has followed LAFC since the club's early years, including traveling to away matches, and said he felt unfairly accused.
The spectator said he had also contacted the club directly and asked officials to clarify what happened.
(This article was produced with the assistance of AI. — Ed.)
