Italian defender Marco Curto has been handed a 10-match ban for racially abusing South Korean forward Hwang Hee-chan during a pre-season friendly between Como and Wolverhampton Wanderers in July. The incident took place in Marbella, Spain, and sparked an immediate and intense reaction from Hwang’s Wolves teammates, ultimately leading to the dismissal of Wolves winger Daniel Podence for retaliating by punching a Como player.
Curto, currently on loan from Como to Serie B side Cesena, will serve half of his suspension immediately, with the remaining five matches suspended for two years. The ruling was issued by FIFA after a thorough investigation into the incident, which involved reviewing statements from both clubs, the match officials, and other relevant parties.
A FIFA spokesperson confirmed the decision, stating: “The player Marco Curto was found responsible for discriminatory behaviour and sanctioned with a 10-match suspension.” Alongside the ban, Curto has also been ordered to render community service and undergo mandatory training and education on discrimination and racism through a FIFA-approved organisation. These measures are part of FIFA’s broader initiative to address racism in football and to ensure that players are educated on the importance of respectful conduct both on and off the field.
Wolverhampton Wanderers expressed their approval of the decision, with the club’s Director of Football, Matt Wild, releasing a statement that underscored the Premier League side’s commitment to combatting racism. “We welcome FIFA’s decision to sanction Marco Curto following the discriminatory incident during our pre-season friendly against Como 1907,” Wild said. “The suspension issued to the player sends a clear message that racism and discriminatory behaviour will not be tolerated in football or society.”
Wild further emphasized the club’s firm stance on creating an inclusive environment for all: “Wolves will always stand firmly against racism and discrimination in any form, and we remain fully committed to creating an environment where everyone feels respected and included.”
The incident occurred during a routine pre-season match in July, but quickly escalated when Curto allegedly referred to Hwang as “Jackie Chan” in reference to the famous Hong Kong action star. Como later claimed that the term was used because some Wolves players referred to Hwang by his nickname, “Channy,” and that Curto’s comment was not meant to be derogatory. In a statement released shortly after the incident, Como expressed disappointment with the reaction from Wolves players, stating that the situation had been “blown out of proportion.”
“As far as our club is concerned, our player did not say anything in a derogatory manner,” the club noted. Como representatives were unavailable for further comment at the time of FIFA’s ruling.
The incident highlights the ongoing challenges football faces when it comes to dealing with racism, both on and off the pitch. In recent years, high-profile cases of racist abuse in matches have prompted a global outcry, with fans, players, and governing bodies alike demanding stronger actions to eliminate discriminatory behaviour from the sport.
In May, FIFA President Gianni Infantino addressed the issue of racism head-on during the FIFA Congress in Bangkok, where he introduced a “global stand against racism.” As part of this initiative, FIFA outlined five key areas of action to tackle racism in football. Among these is the imposition of mandatory sanctions for incidents involving racism during or around matches, as well as increased efforts to promote diversity and inclusion throughout the game.
“Racism is a scourge that exists in our society and is one that has also infiltrated football,” Infantino remarked during the congress. “For too long, we were not capable of dealing with it in an appropriate way. We need to stand up and fight racism and defeat racism all together.”
Curto’s suspension is one of the first major disciplinary actions to arise under FIFA’s renewed efforts to crack down on racism within the sport. As the governing body continues to take steps to address the issue, incidents like this serve as a reminder of the need for vigilance and accountability in ensuring that football remains a sport that promotes respect, inclusion, and equality for all participants.
Discover more from SuperD24
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.