A Taiwanese demonstrator clad in taekwondo uniform kicks a logo of the Asian Taekwondo Union, during a mass rally in Taipei on November 21, 2010. Taekwondo chiefs have apologised for branding Taiwan's Yang Shu-chun a cheat after she was controversially disqualified at the Asian Games for wearing illegal super socks, a report said. -Photo by AFP

TAIPEI: Thousands took to Taipei’s streets Sunday in support of a disqualified taekwondo fighter in a row that has fired public emotions and caught the interest of Taiwan’s politicians.

Some held signs condemning the Asian Taekwondo Union (ATU) while others clad in taekwondo kit carried placards supporting Yang Shu-chun, who was thrown out off the Asian Games after she was found wearing illegal sensors on her socks.

The march was organised by the ruling Kuomintang party on behalf of Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-pin who is seeking another four-year term on November 27.

Hundreds of thousands have joined Facebook campaigns in support of the disbarred athlete in a society that had taken the martial art to its heart as a means of breaking its international isolation.

The spat escalated when the ATU website was attacked by hackers after it carried a statement which condemned the athlete for a “shocking act of deception” even though an official inquiry was pending.

Taiwan’s government demanded an apology for the statement and the disqualification, claiming it was unjust.

The ATU later removed the article from the website and its officials said they “feel sorry and apologise,” according to a report in Taipei’s Apple Daily.

“But that’s not enough. They have to apologise formally,” Taiwan’s President Ma Ying-jeou said.

Yang’s bout was stopped and she was disqualified while leading 9-0 in the first round as her socks, complete with detachable electronic sensors, were ruled illegal.

Fighters are required to wear socks with built-in sensors which help the electronic system score points when they hit other sensors on the opponent’s body gear. -AFP