[Japan National Team]Maya Yoshida is furious! Discriminatory remarks will not be tolerated!

On the 9th, in an online interview after an extraordinary council meeting, Japan Football Association (JFA) Managing Director Kiyotaka Suhara revealed that the Saudi Arabian Football Federation had directly apologized on the 8th for the issue of Japan national team defender Maya Yoshida (Sampdoria) receiving a “discriminatory gesture” from an opposing supporter after the World Cup final qualifying match against Saudi Arabia held in Jeddah on the 7th (8th Japan time). Managing Director Suhara said that the Saudi Arabian Football Federation’s president and others “have offered a sincere apology to Yoshida, the Japanese national team, JFA, and the entire Japanese football world,” and that the Saudi Arabian Football Federation had explained to him that “severe disciplinary measures have already been taken” against the supporter who caused the problem. After the match, Yoshida said, “The office will submit a report to FIFA and AFC,” but according to Managing Director Suhara, “Yoshida has also said clearly that he has switched his mind and his focus to the next match.” The executive director said, “It is extremely unfortunate and regrettable. This kind of thing must be eradicated,” but added that due to the Saudi Arabian Football Association’s swift response, the Japan Football Association “does not anticipate taking any further major action.”