Colombia star Cardona causes outrage in South Korea after alleged racist gesture

The 24-year-old was caught by television footage pulling his face to make squinting eyes during a row with opposition players

midfielder Edwin Cardona faces the prospect of FIFA punishment after being alleged to have made a racist gesture during a row in their defeat to .

The home side claimed a 2-1 victory in the international friendly on Friday thanks to a couple of goals from Son Heung Min, which rendered Cristian Zapata’s belated strike little more than a consolation.

But the game’s major talking point arrived in the 17th minute of the second half, when the 24-year-old, who is on loan at Boca Juniors from Monterrey, appeared to make a squinting-eyes gesture towards the home players.

Edwin Cardona has caused outrage after making an alleged racist gesture during Colombia's clash against South Korea.



(Courtesy of MBC) pic.twitter.com/8NhcthKOI1 — Goal (@goal) November 10, 2017

Colombia head coach Jose Pekerman refused to discuss the incident in the post-match press conference and avoided answering a question about a potential punishment from FIFA.

"I didn't see that gesture and I cannot comment on that," Pekerman told reporters.

"It was a physical game. Things happen during a game like this. I can't comment further on an incident that I didn't see with my own eyes."

With the actions of the player caught on camera and televised across the East Asian country, Cardona has received significant criticism from South Korea supporters.

Colombia’s Edwin Cardona expressing his idiocy with a racist gesture during the game against Korea. #smh pic.twitter.com/d9GVlbYKB1 — Steve Han (@RealSteveScores) November 10, 2017

[NO TO RACISM]

Colombia Edwin Cardona is racist?



Match: South Korea vs Colombia pic.twitter.com/rUhrJ7zK2l — TruePass_Football (@TruePass_Jun) November 10, 2017

(Edwin Cardona)

This bitch is racist in South Korea today

I want you to watch your way back to the club pic.twitter.com/Zc9LinwZkl — (@khalki94worm) November 10, 2017

Colombia media outlet Gol Caracol made light of the "funny and mischievous" incident, suggesting Cardona won't face much of a backlash for the incident in his own country.

Both countries will be at World Cup 2018 next summer having qualified for the tournament in with their final games of group stage qualification.