South Korea’s football association (KFA) has lodged a formal complaint with FIFA over an alleged racist remark made towards Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Hwang Hee-chan. The incident occurred during a pre-season match against Italian club Como in Spain on Monday.
The Incident
The controversy erupted when an unnamed Como player allegedly referred to Hwang Hee-chan as “Jackie Chan,” the iconic Hong Kong movie star renowned for his martial arts films. This remark, deemed racially insensitive, sparked immediate backlash, with the Korea Football Association swiftly responding by sending an official letter to FIFA. The KFA’s letter expressed “serious concern about the racist acts suffered by Hwang Hee-chan” and called on FIFA to take decisive action to “eradicate racism on the soccer field.”
Reactions from Como and Wolves
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Como denied that their player had made any derogatory comments. The club insisted that the incident was being blown out of proportion due to the reaction from certain Wolves players. Como maintained that the remark was a reference to Hwang’s nickname “Channy,” commonly used by his teammates, rather than an intended racial slur.
Despite Como’s stance, the Wolves head coach Gary O’Neil has publicly backed Hwang, emphasizing the club’s zero-tolerance policy towards racism. Hwang, on his Instagram account, expressed gratitude for the support from his coaching staff and teammates, who assured him they would leave the field with him if necessary. His post condemning racism in sports and life received widespread support, garnering over 143,500 likes.
A Broader Issue of Racism in Football
Hwang Hee-chan’s experience is not an isolated incident. Racism in football has been a persistent issue, with several South Korean players facing similar challenges in European leagues. Tottenham Hotspur star Son Heung-min has also been a victim of racial abuse. In 2021, eight men were arrested in England and Wales for tweeting racist comments directed at Son. Reflecting on his career, Son revealed that he faced “unimaginable” racism as a teenager playing in Germany and found a sense of vindication when South Korea eliminated Germany from the 2018 World Cup.
FIFA’s Role and Responsibility
The KFA’s complaint underscores the urgent need for FIFA to address and combat racism in football. The association’s call for action aims to prompt FIFA to implement stronger measures to prevent such incidents and ensure a more inclusive and respectful environment in the sport. While the response from Como indicates a denial of malicious intent, the incident highlights the complexities and sensitivities surrounding racial issues in football.
As the football world watches closely, the outcome of this complaint could set a precedent for how similar incidents are handled in the future. For now, the solidarity shown by Hwang’s teammates and the broader football community serves as a reminder of the collective responsibility to fight against racism in all its forms.
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