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South Korean football federation investigates coach's menstrual health slur

The Korea Women's Football Federation has launched a probe into allegations that a coach used a derogatory euphemism for menstruation to describe players' performance. The incident has sparked fresh debate over workplace conduct in South Korean sports.

LSN Singapore · 31 August 2026

South Korean football federation investigates coach's menstrual health slur

The Korea Women's Football Federation (KWFF) announced it would investigate claims that a member of the coaching staff used the term "girl's day"—a colloquial reference to menstruation—as an insult directed at players during a recent match or training session.

According to federation officials, the euphemistic phrase was deployed in a manner intended to demean athletes, raising concerns about inappropriate language and potential gender discrimination within the coaching environment. The KWFF confirmed receiving reports of the incident and said it takes all allegations of misconduct seriously.

The investigation comes amid broader scrutiny of workplace culture in South Korean sports, where female athletes have increasingly reported experiences of verbal abuse and discrimination. Advocacy groups have called for stronger protocols to protect players and ensure accountability among coaching staff.

The federation has not yet disclosed details about the specific match or training session involved, nor has it named the coach under investigation. Officials said they would complete their inquiry and announce findings within the coming weeks. The case underscores ongoing tensions between traditional attitudes and modernizing standards of professionalism in South Korean athletics.