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[이데일리 박지혜 기자] As for Japan, which was stopped for raising the rising sun flag at the 2022 World Cup stadium in Qatar, Sunghin Women’s University professor Suh Kyung-deok criticized, “International disgrace will not be avoided.”
Professor Seo said on Facebook on the morning of the 28th, “Japanese soccer fans cheered for the Rising Sun Flag again in the second group stage match against Costaria.”
Some Japanese fans unveiled the Rising Sun Flag, a symbol of Japanese imperialism, in the stands at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Alayan, Qatar, where the match between Japan and Costa Rica was held in the Group E match the day before. They tried to hang the rising sun flag, but it was immediately removed by stadium officials.
Regarding this, Professor Seo said, “This is very meaningful as FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) has finally officially stopped waving the Rising Sun Flag.”
He said, “On the 25th, The Times, a British daily, came across a report that FIFA had decided to restrict the entry of England fans dressed as crusaders in the group B match between England and the United States.” From their point of view, the crusader’s dress can be offensive to Muslims,” he said.
“To be honest, I was a bit excited to see this report. I thought FIFA might stop supporting the Rising Sun Flag now,” he added.
Professor Seo said, “I believe that FIFA’s suspension of the Rising Sun Flag is a very appropriate measure to respect not only Asian football fans but also football fans around the world. It should be taken as a good lesson not to cheer.”
He also said, “The reason why we have been able to achieve such good results is thanks to our netizens, who made a video about the problems of the Rising Sun Flag from the last World Cup in Russia, and promoted it to the world, and continue to protest to FIFA.”
Previously, Japanese spectators drew attention with ‘cleaning the stadium’.
ESPN hailed them as “perfect hosts”, saying, “The Japanese fans cleaned up the stadium after a shock win (against Germany). Fox Sports also said, “The behavior of Japanese fans is the best tradition in sports.”
However, the fading of the meaning as he was criticized for his double attitude by cheering for the Flag of the Rising Sun stems from a wrong perception of history.
Meanwhile, Japan, who had a surprise win in the first group game against Germany, lost 0-1 to Costa Rica, who was considered an underdog.
Following this, Germany recorded a 1-1 draw against Spain that day. With this victory, Germany, who gained one point, remained in fourth place in the group behind Japan and Costa Rica.
Spain, who defeated Costa Rica in the first game and drew in the second game, took the lead in Group E, dubbed the ‘Group of Death’.
