“Ni hao, ni hao”... Son Heung-min subjected to racist abuse by spectator wearing LAFC jersey

[Financial News] A video showing a spectator making racist remarks toward Son Heung-min, captain of the South Korea national football team who plays for Major League Soccer (MLS) side Los Angeles FC (LAFC), has been released, prompting outrage.
According to a report by Yonhap News on the 27th, citing the U.S. outlet the New York Post, a spectator made racist remarks toward Son after the 2026 MLS Round 32 match between LAFC and LA Galaxy, which ended in a 2-2 draw at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California, the previous day.
A video posted on social media shows a spectator wearing an LAFC jersey repeatedly shouting “ni hao” (“hello” in Chinese) at Son as he leaves the stadium, while Son looks toward the spectator shouting at him.
Assuming and treating East Asians as Chinese regardless of their nationality is considered a classic form of racism.
The New York Post criticized it as “an insensitive and racist act.”
As the video spread, criticism of the spectator poured in on social media, and some fans voiced calls for the spectator’s season membership to be revoked if they were a season-ticket holder.
Given that the incident involved a fan of the same team, attention is focused on what action LAFC will take against the spectator.
[email protected] Kim Su-yeon Reporter