With the fate of Korea’s World Cup run hanging in the balance during today’s group H matches, an image of Uruguayan soccer player Frederico Valverde making an offensive “slant eyes” gesture has gone viral once again.
Uruguay and Korea were vying for the same spot to advance into the knockout round, which prompted fans to unearth a picture taken during the 2017 U-20 World Cup in South Korea.
While fans claimed that Valverde’s racially insensitive celebration depicted in the photo occurred in a match between Uruguay and South Korea, the photo was actually taken during a match between Uruguay and Portugal during the youth championship’s quarterfinals.
At the time, Valverde claimed that the gesture was meant to pay tribute to a friend whose nickname is “El Chino,” which is Spanish for “the Chinese.”
Netizens proclaimed karma was on Korea’s side during this year’s World Cup, as their win over Portugal propelled them into the knockout rounds, sending Uruguay home.
Uruguay’s 2-0 win over Ghana during group H matches wasn’t enough to advance, and it wasn’t enough to divert fans’ attention from an old image of Uruguayan soccer star Frederico Valverde making an offensive “slant eyes” gesture.
Both Korea and Uruguay were in the running to obtain the second spot behind Portugal in the group H rankings to advance to the knockout rounds. Although they did not directly compete against each other, the two teams were vying for the same spot in their matches.
Fans proclaimed karma was on Korea’s side after the picture was unearthed by Twitter user @bennufc_18.
“Celebrated like this against Korea in 2017 and now he’s getting knocked out by them, Karma,” one Twitter user wrote.
“Literally celebrated like this against korea in 017. i need these guys OUTTT,” another said.
While fans claimed that Valverade’s racially insensitive celebration depicted in the photo occurred in a match between Uruguay and South Korea, the photo was actually taken during a match between Uruguay and Portugal during the youth championship’s quarterfinals.
Valverde tried to defend himself at the time by saying the gesture was meant to pay tribute to a friend whose nickname is “El Chino,” which is Spanish for “the Chinese.”
“Was dedicated to his friend at home, who was nicknamed el chino. That friend took it and even tattooed it. Acknowledge that you were stupid to assume it was racism now please,” a Twitter user wrote.
Featured Image via Getty
