Ulises Fernando Bernal Miramontes, president of a Mexican engineering guild, issued a public apology after making a racist gesture during a World Cup match [1].

The incident highlights the intersection of global sporting events and social media, where a momentary action can lead to international condemnation and professional fallout.

Bernal serves as the head of the College of Geomatics and Topographic Surveying Engineers of the State of Jalisco [1]. The controversy began during a match on Friday when Bernal was captured on video making a "slant-eye" gesture behind South Korean YouTuber Yoon Su-jin [1, 2].

The footage circulated widely online, prompting a wave of criticism regarding the racist nature of the gesture [1, 2]. In response to the backlash, Bernal posted an apology on social media on Sunday [2].

“Over the past few days, a video has circulated online and generated a wide range of reactions,” Bernal said [1].

Reports regarding the professional consequences for Bernal vary. While some sources focus on the public apology, other reports state that Bernal will be fired from his position following the incident [3]. The guild has not provided a detailed public statement regarding his current employment status beyond these reports.

The incident occurred in Jalisco, Mexico, where the match was being broadcast [1, 3]. The visibility of the gesture was amplified by the presence of Yoon Su-jin, whose platform as an influencer brought the behavior to a global audience [1, 2].

““Over the past few days, a video has circulated online and generated a wide range of reactions,””

This incident demonstrates how the reach of digital influencers can turn localized behavior into a global diplomatic and professional crisis. The disparity in reporting regarding Bernal's dismissal suggests a rapid internal reaction within the Mexican engineering guild to distance itself from racist conduct to protect its institutional reputation.