Serie A star slapped with TEN-MATCH BAN for racially abusing Wolves ace Hwang Hee-chan with vile ‘Jackie Chan’ comment
SERIE A star Marco Curto has been hit with a TEN-MATCH BAN for racially abusing Wolves ace Hwang Hee-chan.
Fifa have found Curto guilty after he allegedly made a vile “Jackie Chan” comment towards the Premier League winger in a pre-season friendly.
The controversy erupted during a closed-doors friendly in Marbella which Wolves won 1-0.
The clash was marred by an incident after 68 minutes when Hwang alleged he had been racially abused by an opponent.
His furious team-mate Daniel Podence was so incensed he lashed out at a Como defender and was sent-off by the referee.
Como said one of their players made a reference surrounding Hwang’s name and that the complaint was “out of proportion”.
But now Fifa have upheld the formal complaint made by South Korea‘s national football association.
A spokesperson for the world governing body said: “Marco Curto was found responsible for discriminatory behaviour and sanctioned with a 10-match suspension.
“Serving of half of those matches is suspended for a probation period of two years.
“The player is ordered to render community services and undergo training and education with an organisation approved by Fifa.”
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The South Korea player’s national football association contacted Fifa in July to express “serious concerns” about the incident.
SunSport asked Como for comment after the game on July 16.
Wolves are understood to welcome the decision and held talks with the FA over how best to move forward with taking it to the relevant bodies.
Uefa insisted it cannot look into the incident because it did not take place during a competitive Uefa match.
The Molineux club are expected to issue a formal statement later.
Curto is currently on loan with Italian second tier side Cesena.
A Como spokesperson said Curto had told club chief’s he had told a fellow defender “ignore (Hwang), he thinks he’s Jackie Chan”.
Mirwan Suwarso previously said: “Having spoken to our player at length, we are confident this was in reference to the player’s name.
“And to the constant references of ‘Channy’ made by his own team-mates on the pitch.
“As far as our club is concerned our player did not say anything in a derogatory manner.
“We are disappointed that the reaction of certain Wolves players has seen the incident blown out of proportion.”