Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton Wanderers) is troubled by Italy’s allegedly racist culture.
Wolverhampton have lodged an official complaint with UEFA over racist remarks directed at Hwang Hee-chan during a preseason match against Italian club Como 1907 on Saturday.
Wolverhampton, who are currently training in Marbella, Spain, for the 2024-25 season, played a friendly against Serie A promotion side Como.
Hwang Hee-chan started the match. He came on as a substitute at the start of the second half. The incident in question occurred in the 23rd minute of the second half. A Como player shouted a racist slur at Hwang. Hwang immediately expressed his displeasure, and in the process, his teammate Daniel Podense threw a punch at a Como defender.
The incident, which ended in a physical altercation, was triggered by Como, with the Express and Star explaining that “the incident occurred after Hwang’s Wolverhampton teammates became enraged after he accused Como of racist abuse.”
Hwang Hee-chan showed no signs of slowing down. She played the rest of the second half without being substituted. “I had a conversation with her and gave her the opportunity to quit the game,” said head coach Gary O’Neill.
“He was very discouraged after hearing the racist comments,” O’Neill said, ”but when I talked to him, he was focused on the team moving forward and doing what we needed to do. “It’s really disappointing that racism happened, that we had to talk about it, that it affected the game, and that it shouldn’t have happened.
Hwang finished the match strong, but it clearly took a psychological toll. “She’s obviously disappointed,” O’Neill said. He wanted to play and get playing time, even though he’s been through such a humiliating experience. He’ll be fine. He will be fine and we will give him our full support.”
Como explained the incident through its own 토토사이트 investigation. But it was a controversial statement, and one that stirred up anger. “We do not tolerate racism. We are against racism in all its forms.”
“I checked with the defense attorney to see what was said between the players. Our player said, ‘Ignore Hwang Hee-chan, he thinks he’s Jackie Chan (Jackie Chan),’” he said, adding, ‘The Wolverhampton players said that because they referred to him as a kicker,’ which was an incomprehensible explanation.
Instead, he blamed Wolverhampton for the clash. “We didn’t intentionally disparage Hwang Hee-chan, we didn’t say anything like that,” Como said, adding that it was ”disappointing that the opposing players exaggerated the reaction.”
This is not the first time racism has been directed at Hwang. Just two years ago, in preseason, she was also racially abused by opposing fans after scoring a penalty kick goal against Portuguese second division side Farense. At the time, he said, “I shouldn’t have to go through this,” but the problem hasn’t gone away, leaving him with a lot of regret.
Still, Hwang responded in a mature manner. “Thank you for the many messages of support from the club, staff, teammates, and fans,” he wrote on Instagram, adding that ‘we are all the same human beings’ and addressing the issue of racism.
He added: “We have to be mature and enjoy this sport. No one should have to go through this anymore, not my teammates, not my younger teammates, not anyone,” he emphasized.
