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Coronavirus: Seoul apologise over 'sex doll' mix-up

The top flight in South Korea is among the leagues to have returned amid the coronavirus pandemic, with the Bundesliga in Germany having also resumed this weekend.

With matches being played behind closed doors, several teams have been finding novel ways to decorate their stadia.

Seoul said their perceived faux pas, which was pointed out by several users on social media - with the mannequins supposedly holding up advertising signs for adult streaming sites, was due to a mix-up with the manufacturer.

"We would like to apologise to our fans. We're genuinely sorry to our fans about the installation of the mannequins at our game on May 17," read a statement from Seoul, who defeated Gwangju 1-0 at the Seoul World Cup stadium on Sunday.

"We confirmed from the start that the mannequins we installed in the stands had no relation to the adult toys, even though they do indeed resemble real humans.

"We had them supplied by a company and they informed us that the mannequins are designed for displaying apparel and fashion products. We confirmed with them on numerous occasions to make sure that the mannequins are not adult toys.

"[The supplier] has been distributing some of the mannequin products to another business...and in the process of return and exchange of the products between them, the installation at our stadium included some products with messages in text that are related to the adult toys.

"That was a problem on our employees who couldn't check every detail of everything that was installed. That is an inexcusable mistake on our part."

Coronavirus: Seoul fined by K League over 'sex doll' fans

The club mistakenly used the mannequins to fill seats during Sunday's 1-0 win over Gwangju in K League, which has returned behind closed doors amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Seoul apologised for what they labelled "an inexcusable mistake".

Explaining the error, which saw the mannequins supposedly hold up advertising signs for adult streaming sites, the club said the faux pas was down to a mix-up with the manufacturer.

Announcing the sanction in a statement, the K League said: "The disciplinary committee decided to take heavy disciplinary action considering the graveness of the incident, caused by the 'real doll', that has greatly insulted and hurt female and family fans and to prevent similar incidents going forward."

K League 1: Junior Negao at the double again in Ulsan's comeback win

The home side appeared well in control of proceedings in front of an empty Suwon World Cup Stadium, with spectators still absent amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Ko Seung-beom and Sulejman Krpic scored either side of half-time to open up a two-goal lead before Junior Negao showed neat footwork and aimed a shot towards the bottom-left corner that No Dong-geon could not keep out to reduce the arrears.

Kim In-sung showed good strength to rifle home the equaliser just after the hour and Junior Negao – who scored twice in the opening-round 4-0 beating of Sangju Sangmu – completed the turnaround in the last minute with a long-range free-kick. 

Han Chan-hee scored a 25-yard belter as Seoul recovered from an opening-round defeat to beat Gwangju 1-0.

Rounding out the action, Seongnam played out a goalless draw with Incheon United.

K League 1: Seongnam's Kis leaves sour taste for Seoul

The Croatian striker chose his moment well, tapping home in the 89th minute after a cross-shot was only parried by Seoul goalkeeper Yu Sang-hun.

Kis had only come off the bench with seven minutes remaining, and his intervention moved Seongnam to eight points from their opening four games, putting them third and just a point behind early leaders Jeonbuk Motors.

Pohang Steelers swept to a 4-1 win at Incheon United thanks to goals from Stanislav Iljutcenko, Ha Chang-rae, Lee Seung-mo and Song Min-kyu. Winless Incheon's reply came from Kim Ho-nam.

K League: Gangwon bounce back in style as Pohang Steelers show their mettle

Seoul finished third in the 2019 campaign and they took the lead at Gangwon, Park Dong-jin's deflected shot finding the net to put the visitors ahead at the break.

However, the hosts hit back in the second half, starting with substitute Kim Ji-hyun converting a cross to level. They then secured victory with two late goals, the first of them scored by Cho Jae-wan with a clever back-heeled finish.

Having created his side's second, Kim Seung-dae sealed the result less than a minute later, cutting inside onto his right foot to score with a low finish.

Meanwhile, Pohang Steelers were too strong for Busan I'Park, running out 2-0 winners.

Stanislav Iljutcenko opened the scoring midway through the first half but the home team were made to wait to seal the points, Serbia midfielder Aleksandar Palocevic eventually doubling their lead from the penalty spot in the 71st minute.

The K League season finally began on Friday - Jeonbuk Motors recording a 1-0 triumph over Suwon Bluewings - following a delay due to the coronavirus health crisis.