Italian defender Marco Curto has been banned by FIFA for 10 matches for making discriminatory remarks towards Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Hee-chan Hwang, Afrosport reports.
The incident occurred in a pre-season friendly between the newly-promoted Serie A side and Wolves where Curto reportedly likened South Korea international Hwang to Hong Kong movie star Jackie Chan because of the Chan in his name.
It did not go down well with Wolves and the matter was taken up all the way to global football governing body who found Curto guilty of “discriminatory behaviour” and have decided to hit him with an immediate five-game ban while the other five are suspended without in a two-year period.
“The player Marco Curto was found responsible for discriminatory behaviour and sanctioned with a 10-match suspension,” said a FIFA statement per BBC Sport.
“Serving half of those matches is suspended for a probation period of two years, and the player is ordered to render community services and undergo training and education with an organisation approved by FIFA.”
Meanwhile, Wolves Director of Football Matt Wild welcomed FIFA’s decision to sanction Curto as a clear message that racism and any form of discrimination will not be tolerated in football.
“We welcome FIFA’s decision to sanction Marco Curto following the discriminatory incident during our pre-season friendly against Como 1907. The suspension issued to the player sends a clear message that racism and discriminatory behaviour will not be tolerated in football or society,” he said.
“This outcome highlights FIFA’s commitment to ensuring that serious actions have meaningful consequences, and we are encouraged to see the use of sporting sanctions alongside community service and education. Such measures underline the importance of both punishment and education in eradicating discriminatory behaviour from the game we all love.
“…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.”
Como are yet to respond to the ruling but had earlier stated Curto, who is currently on loan at Serie B club Cesen, did not say anything derogatory towards Hwang and that Wolves players blew the incident out of proportion.
