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An LAFC fan has sparked widespread outrage after being caught on camera hurling a racist slur at South Korean soccer star Son Heung-min after a heated MLS derby.
The ugly incident occurred on Sunday following LAFC's 2-2 draw against fierce city rivals LA Galaxy at BMO Stadium.
As the LAFC winger circled the field thanking supporters after the final whistle, one spectator repeatedly yelled 'nihao' at the South Korean international.
Using the Mandarin word for 'hello' toward a Korean player is a well-known racist microaggression.
Footage shared on social media captured Son glaring back at the spectator, who was dressed in the club's gold and black gear, in response to the offensive taunts.
The user who shared the clip on social media revealed that they had reported the man to stadium security in the immediate aftermath of the confrontation.
Dropping the video. If this man is a season ticket holder, then at the minimum his tickets and access should be revoked. Pref lifetime ban. He wanted signatures on that hat and yelled nihao at Son. In LA. In 2026. @LAFC @MLS https://t.co/CXalp8Aj01 pic.twitter.com/syUXfja6MQ
— 여름복숭아 (@peachyson7) October 26, 2026
'I spoke with security and since he left Section 111 by then, they said there was little they could do. Since when was racism accepted in the MLS,' they wrote online.
Furious social media users quickly identified the man who allegedly made the comment as a regular season ticket holder and have called for the club to hand him a lifetime ban following the ordeal.
On X, one user wrote: 'What a disgusting b*****d this guy!! @MLS respond to this and take immediate action. How TF is racism normal? What a loser.'
Similarly, another said: 'Hey @LAFC what are you doing to protect your players???'
Former Tottenham Hotspur star Son has spent two years with the MLS side, making 52 appearances in all competitions and scoring 21 goals during that period.
The racist abuse compounded an already dismal weekend for the LAFC fanbase, with another video surfacing that showed an LAFC supporter spitting on a female Galaxy fan during the same match.
The Daily Mail has reached out to LAFC and the MLS for comment.