TV hosts gets suspended for racist remarks


FE Team | Published: June 30, 2018 20:21:42


TV hosts gets suspended for racist remarks

Two hosts on US Spanish-language network Telemundo have been suspended after making racist gestures while celebrating South Korea's win over Germany.

The win meant that Mexico was cleared to advance in the tournament, reports BBC.

During a celebratory dance on set, the two presenters were seen pulling their eyes to look slanted.

The same gesture was posted by several Mexican fans on Twitter in an attempt to thank South Korea.

Social media users condemned the instances as racist and many Mexicans have since apologised.

South Korea's win over Germany at the Fifa World Cup meant Mexico edged into second place in their group, hence will advance into the knock-out stages.

South Korea, despite its win, failed to progress to the next stage, but its fans united with Mexican supporters around the globe to celebrate.

In Mexico City, hundreds of fans rushed to the South Korean embassy to party with the staff and consul general.

Some of South Korea's enthusiasm, however, turned bitter as Mexican fans "thanked" Koreans by posting pictures of themselves pulling their eyes to the side, which is considered a racist gesture.

Korean fans soon began using the hashtag #racialdiscrimination to express their frustration.

One user wrote "They say they love us and that we are their brothers then what's this… I heard they know that this is a racist gesture...".

Another tweeted that South Koreans "don't need brothers who are racists".

Some were slightly more lenient in their reaction, arguing that while the gesture was wrong, Mexican fans might not have meant to offend.

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