South Korean fans call for ‘No Ronaldo’ ban after Juventus star sits out Seoul match

South Koreans have in the past month thrown their support behind a boycott of Japanese products amid the deepening diplomatic and trade dispute. Now footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has become the face of a new ban led by fans who feel jilted by his failure to take the field for last week’s match between Italian giant Juventus and the K League All-Stars in Seoul.

Signs and slogans used in the “Boycott Japan” movement have been repurposed and now read “Boycott Ronaldo”. Across South Korean social media, the hashtag “Ronaldo no-show” began trending as fans mobilised to boycott products endorsed by the Portuguese star.

Others visited Ronaldo’s Instagram page to express their displeasure, with one commenter insisting:

“You came to Korea and disappointed so many children, and ruined the lives of many people. You have to apologise to your Korean fans right away.”

Nearly 80 per cent of 501 Koreans surveyed stated they would never again support Ronaldo, according to polling firm Realmeter.

The boycott has affected the star’s popularity and product sales, according to local reports. Ronaldo’s character in the game Fifa Online 4 has become highly unpopular among Korean users. Meanwhile, fans are no longer purchasing the soccer star’s jerseys, leaving hundreds unsold on local sites.

Some dejected fans are reportedly considering a US$70,000 lawsuit against him, seeking compensation for “mental anguish”, according to Al-Jazeera.

Additionally, Korean fans are also planning to boycott PES 2020, an upcoming football game which is a joint venture between Japanese game maker Konami and Juventus to be released in September.

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In Japan, though, Ronaldo may have gained some new fans who welcomed his decision to remain on the bench as an act of support for their country.

“It was the right decision not to play in Korea,” one Japanese Twitter user wrote. “Korea is dangerouce (sic), unfair, no sportsmanship. you already know.”

Ronaldo cited “muscle fatigue” as the reason for sitting out despite contractual obligations to play. The “no-show” cost Juventus US$675,000 of their match fee of about US$3 million.

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The K League wrote to Juventus alleging Ronaldo had acted “irresponsibly”. The Italian club, however, cited medical advice in defending its player.

“No one at Juventus wanted to bring disrepute to K League, Korea Football Association or Asian Football Confederation,” Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli said.