Former Tottenham defender Mauricio Taricco has stepped down from his role at Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors after being accused of making a racist gesture during a heated K League match. Below you will see information about is news which has been summarized The Football Insight.
The incident unfolded in stoppage time when Jeonbuk, leading 2–1, saw a handball appeal initially ignored before VAR awarded a late penalty. Frustrated, Taricco protested intensely and received two yellow cards in quick succession.
As he argued, he made a gesture by pulling at the corner of his eye something referee Kim Woo-seong interpreted as a “slanted-eye” insult toward Asians. The referee reported the action to league officials, who later reviewed footage and determined the gesture matched one FIFA has penalized many times for racist intent.
The disciplinary committee announced on November 19 that Taricco was guilty of ethnic mockery. Their statement described his gesture as universally recognized as a racist action, escalating the controversy and placing the coach under intense scrutiny.
Taricco Defends Himself and Chooses to Leave
Taricco received a five-match ban and a fine of 20 million won, but the consequences extended far beyond punishment. Facing public pressure and emotional strain, he decided to leave South Korea at the end of the season.
His lengthy statement on Jeonbuk’s website strongly denied any racist intent, claiming the incident was a misunderstanding. Taricco emphasized his long career working across cultures without conflict, saying he felt unfairly labeled by people who ignored context and explanations. Ultimately, he stated that he needed to continue his life in a place where he felt safe and respected.
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Jeonbuk Stand Firm Behind Their Assistant Coach
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors publicly defended Taricco, arguing that interpreting his gesture as racist overlooked both his intent and character. Club officials insisted the action lacked malice and called for a more balanced review through the appeal process.
Several players also spoke out, including former Barcelona academy prospect Lee Seung-woo. He described Taricco as someone who deeply respected Korean culture and claimed the punishment did not reflect the coach’s sincerity. For the squad, the decision felt disproportionate and disconnected from the Taricco they knew.
Despite these defenses, the support was not enough to overturn the ruling. The K League maintained that the gesture met the standard for offensive racial behavior, leaving Jeonbuk frustrated and Taricco resigned to his fate.
Appeal Rejected and a Difficult Farewell Ahead
On Monday, the K League confirmed that Taricco’s appeal had been rejected, stating there were no errors in the disciplinary process and no new evidence to reconsider. This decision effectively sealed his departure, with Taricco set to complete the season before leaving the country.
The controversy overshadowed what had been another strong year for Jeonbuk, who secured their 10th league title with matches to spare. Instead of celebrating their success, the club found itself navigating one of the biggest off-field scandals in its recent history.
Jeonbuk’s final assignment of the season, the Korean FA Cup final, will be Taricco’s last match with the team. As he prepares to step away, the scandal remains a reminder of how quickly misunderstandings can derail careers and reshape narratives in modern football. Follow footballcoasters.co.uk for weekly deep dives into football’s biggest stories.