K League shuts Incheon stand until late July after fans throw bottles at players

The K League ordered Incheon United to close the supporters’ zone at Incheon Football Stadium for the next five games and fined the club 20 million won on Thursday after fans threw water bottles at players after a game against FC Seoul on May 11

FC Seoul and Incheon United react to spectators who threw water bottles on the pitch after a K League 1 match at Incheon Football Stadium in Incheon on May 11. [YONHAP]

The K League ordered Incheon United to close the supporters’ zone at Incheon Football Stadium in Incheon for the next five games and fined the club 20 million won ($14,800) on Thursday after fans threw water bottles at players after a game against FC Seoul on May 11.

FC Seoul goalkeeper Baek Jong-bum was also fined 7 million won for making a provocative gesture at Incheon supporters after the match ended with a 2-1 loss for the home side.

The decision came after the K League held a disciplinary meeting Thursday at KFA House in central Seoul.

The incident on May 11 happened after the final whistle, when spectators began throwing water bottles on to the pitch following an interaction between Baek and fans. Other players, including those from Incheon, walked over and confronted spectators, but they continued throwing water bottles.

Baek was playing in the goal in front of the Incheon supporters' stand.

Incheon CEO Jeon Dal-soo released a statement on the club’s official Instagram account later in the day apologizing for the incident.

Incheon United and FC Seoul players tussle during a K League 1 match at Incheon Football Stadium in Incheon on May 11. [YONHAP]

Jeon also said Monday through a separate statement shared on Instagram that the club will not take any legal action against fans involved in the incident who voluntarily turn themselves in by May 19, although the club will still issue its own punishment.

Fans that do not report themselves to the club will be referred to the police and the club will seek damages for loss of income caused by the incident.

Jeon also said in Monday's statement that he will close the supporters' zone for the next two home games against Gwangju FC on May 25 and Ulsan HD on May 29. The K League ruling now extends that closure to five games, meaning the supporters' stand will not reopen until Incheon host Suwon FC on July 21.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]