Ki Sung-yueng collapses after being hit in a water bottle's vulnerable spot... Incheon issues official apology "Deeply responsible"

FC Seoul's Baek Jong-beom Provokes, Incheon Fans Throw Water Bottles
Incheon Club Issues Apology... "Efforts to Prevent Recurrence"

In the K League 1 professional soccer league, Incheon United FC, the club involved in a large-scale water bottle throwing incident, has issued an official apology.

On the 11th, Incheon United posted an apology statement on their official website and social media platforms regarding the water bottle throwing incident during the Hana Bank K League 1 2024 Round 12 match.

On the 11th, after the match between Incheon and Seoul, Incheon fans are throwing water bottles onto the field.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

In the apology letter signed by CEO Jeon Dalsu, Incheon stated, “As the home team operating the match, we have the duty to ensure that all fans can safely watch the game and to protect the players. However, a situation that threatened safety occurred in an instant, causing concern to spectators and players, for which we deeply take responsibility.” They continued, “We bow our heads once again to apologize to the fans who love the K League and all related parties,” and added, “Our club will thoroughly investigate the causes related to the water bottle throwing and will strive to prevent such incidents from happening again.”

The incident occurred during the match between Incheon and FC Seoul held at the Incheon Football Stadium that afternoon. The game, as a representative rivalry match in the K League, featured rough play with multiple expulsions and warnings, ending with a 2-1 victory for the visiting team, FC Seoul.

After the match, FC Seoul goalkeeper Baek Jongbeom clenched his fists and performed a celebration toward the Incheon supporters. Angered by this, Incheon fans began throwing water bottles onto the field, and FC Seoul captain Ki Sungyong stepped forward to protect Baek Jongbeom but was hit in a sensitive area by a water bottle. Ki Sungyong expressed pain, sat down for a while, and then stood up with assistance.

Seoul and Incheon players engage in a tense exchange during the match
[Image source=Provided by Korea Professional Football League]

Later, in an interview at the mixed zone, Ki Sungyong expressed discomfort, saying, “I don’t know the intention behind throwing the water bottles, but it is a dangerous act that can injure people,” and added, “I am quite regretful.”

Baek Jongbeom apologized to Incheon fans after the match, saying, “It was an action that should not be done as a player, and I will make sure such a thing never happens again.” However, he explained, “From the start of the second half, Incheon supporters kept showing me the middle finger and verbally abusing my parents,” and added, “I was excited, so that gesture came out.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.