Edwin Cardona apologizes for offensive gesture during match against South Korea

The Boca Juniors striker, Edwin Cardona, stated today that he never intended to offend South Korea with his gesture during the friendly match that the Asian team won against Colombia by 2-1 in Suwon.

"Regarding what happened today. It was not my intention to disrespect anyone, a country or a race. But if someone felt offended or interpreted it that way, I offer a thousand apologies. On the contrary, we are very grateful to the people of Korea, for how they have treated us, it has been something spectacular since day one," said the player in a video published by the Colombian Football Federation.

"I am not a conflictive person and I regret that a situation during the match has been misunderstood in that way," he added.

After a foul signaled to the Colombian team, directed by the Argentine Jose Pekerman, by Australian referee Chris Beath at the 60th minute of the match, players from both teams entered into a discussion on the field that did not escalate further.

However, television cameras captured the 'xeneize' player in front of Lee Myun Gjoo and then observed how the Colombian player brings his index fingers to his eyes, simulating the features of the South Koreans, which has been considered in different forums as unsportsmanlike behavior.

South Korea won 2-1 with a brace from Son Heung Min and a late goal by Cristian Zapata for the Colombian team, which will face China in Chongqing in the next friendly match.

Cardona scored a goal and was unjustly sent off in the last Superclásico against River Plate, which ended with a victory for Boca Juniors by 1-2. For this reason, he will have to serve a one-match suspension.

FIFA has not yet commented on the incident that occurred today at the World Cup Stadium in Suwon, where Colombia lost to the Koreans by 2-1 in their first match after qualifying for the World Cup in Russia.

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- Selección Colombia (@FCFSeleccionCol) November 10, 2017