FC Seoul to Sue over Sex Dolls 'Audience'

Mannequins sit in the World Cup Stadium in Seoul during an FC Seoul game on Sunday. /Yonhap

Professional football club FC Seoul said Tuesday that it may take legal action against a company that supplied sex dolls posing as spectators in an empty stadium during the coronavirus pandemic.

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FC Seoul placed 30 mannequins in spectator seats in its home stadium during a K-League football match on Sunday against Gwangju. The aim was to entertain viewers who were watching the game on TV and make players feel less alone.

But the mannequins included 10 sex dolls, making the club an instant global laughing stock.

The company that supplied the mannequins for free specializes in the manufacture of life-sized dolls with lifelike skin and hair and even displayed the brand name of the sex dolls. 

FC Seoul apologized on its official website and social media. The club said that although it did not believe the mannequin supplier produces sex dolls, it could not escape blame for failing to conduct a thorough check.

The company's website, now closed, does specify that it makes "adult products including real dolls".

The international press had a field day. The BBC commented, "It is a challenge for sports leagues across the world -- if play can only resume in empty stadiums, how can the atmosphere be improved? However, not many clubs will be rushing to follow the example of FC Seoul".

FC Seoul said it will report the doll supplier to the police and sue it for fraud and obstruction of business if deception can be proven. The K-League holds a disciplinary meeting this week to look into the matter.