Mexican Engineering Guild Chief Ulises Fernando Bernal Miramontes Apologizes After Racist Slant-Eye Gesture

A racist “slant-eye” gesture by Mexican engineering guild chief Ulises Fernando Bernal Miramontes toward a South Korean influencer during a 2026 FIFA World Cup match triggered backlash and led to his dismissal from his position.

“South Korean influencer @inocat_t posts a video on Instagram on June 12, where she was filming herself during a World Cup game when a man seated behind her made a slant-eye gesture to her”

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The incident was captured in a video posted by South Korean YouTuber Ino Cat (also written as @inocat_t), who filmed herself during the match in Zapopan near Guadalajara, Mexico, where South Korea defeated the Czech Republic 2-1 in their Group A first match.

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Bernal later issued a public apology, saying, “Over the past few days, a video has circulated online and generated a wide range of reactions.”

In a separate report, Bernal’s apology included the statement, “I sincerely apologize to all Korean fans and anyone offended by my actions,” and he said he would resign from his position as president to take responsibility for the controversy.

Global Times reported that Bernal, president of the Jalisco Association of Surveyors and Geomatics Engineers (CITGEJ), was dismissed after the video circulated online, and it said CITGEJ had launched an internal review before confirming his removal.

The Korea Times reported that Bernal apologized amid widespread controversy after the gesture during the Korea-Czech Republic match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and it identified the man in the video as Ulises Fernando Bernal Miramontes.

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In Bernal’s video apology, he said, “I sincerely regret everything this situation has caused,” and he added, “I am not here to justify myself or to debate different interpretations.”

A CITGEJ spokesperson told The New York Post that Bernal would be “removed from office,” while The Straits Times said the engineering guild issued a statement on June 13 saying it would internally review the matter.

Korean reactions focused on what the gesture meant at an international sporting event, with The Korea Times quoting a Korean user on X saying, “The apology showed accountability without excuses, but the racist gesture at an international sporting event remains a serious problem.”

“Mexican trade group leader fired after racist gesture during World Cup A viral video of a professional engineer mocking a South Korean influencer's features at a match in Guadalajara cost him his leadership position within hours”

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Seo Kyoung-duk, a professor at Sungkyunkwan University, urged FIFA to take steps to prevent similar incidents, saying, “It is unacceptable that something like this would happen at a World Cup, where people of all nationalities and races come together as one global community.”

In the same coverage, Bernal’s apology was directed “especially” to the YouTuber, and The Korea Herald said his apology came two days after the incident.

The Straits Times also reported that Bernal’s post was written in both English and Spanish, and it included the line, “For that reason, I believe it is important to offer a public apology.”