Ino Cat, a South Korean influencer, thanked FIFA after the organization invited her to attend the Mexico vs Korea World Cup match on June 18, following a racist gesture during another match a few days ago.
“Thank you for the VVIP invitation to the Mexico match. I don’t believe this invitation belongs only to me. It belongs to everyone who supported me, encouraged me, and stood by my side during this journey,” wrote Ino Cat, whose real name is Yoon Su-jin, in an Instagram post accepting the invitation. “Thank you, FIFA. Thank you, Matthew Mullen. And thank you to everyone who believed in me. I will never forget this experience, and I hope to pass that kindness on to others one day.”
The invitation was sent after the incident at Estadio Akron in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, during the Group A match between South Korea and the Czech Republic on June 12.
In the video, Ino Cat claimed that a Mexican man sitting behind her touched the corners of his eyes towards the camera to mock East Asians. As a result, she started crying on camera, and the video was spread on social media, drawing numerous condemnations.
FIFA sent the invitation in connection with the International Day for Countering Hate Speech.