Football: South Korea's FC Seoul fined for using sex dolls to fill empty seats

South Korea's FC Seoul have been fined a record 100 million Korean Won (NZ$133,000)  for using sex dolls to fill empty seats in their stadium during a K League football match. 

The club placed dolls in seats during their 1-0 win over Gwangjuon Sunday to make up for the absence of fans, due to COVID-19 restrictions.

"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," the K League says.

Though the incident was not intended, the dolls could be distinguished from ordinary mannequins and the club made a serious mistake by not removing them, when it had enough time before the game started, the K League adds.

Some of the dolls had been dressed in the club's kit, while others were holding supportive placards. Fans watching the match on television took to social media to raise doubts about the inflatable spectators.

The club apologised on Monday, saying it had failed to check the consignment sent by the supplier, although adding it was not aware the dolls were "adult products".

"We would like to apologise to the fans," the club said.

"We are very sorry about the supporting mannequins that were placed during the game on May 17. These mannequins may have been made to look and feel like real humans, but they are not for sexual use - as confirmed by the manufacturer from the beginning.

"Our intention was to do something lighthearted in these difficult times. We will think hard about what we need to do to ensure that something like this never happens again."

Reuters