Italian defender sanctioned with 10-match ban for racial abuse towards Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Hwang Hee-chan

ROME – Italian defender Marco Curto has been handed a 10-match ban for his racial abuse towards South Korean forward Hwang Hee-chan during a pre-season friendly between Como and Wolverhampton Wanderers in July.

Curto, who is currently on loan from Como to Serie B club Cesena, will serve half of the punishment immediately, with the other half suspended for two years.

“The player Marco Curto was found responsible for discriminatory behaviour and sanctioned with a 10-match suspension,” a Fifa spokesperson said.

“The player is ordered to render community services and undergo training and education with an organisation approved by Fifa.”

Wolves said the club would file a complaint with Uefa after the incident in the Spanish resort of Marbella that sparked an angry response from Hwang’s teammates and led to the dismissal of winger Daniel Podence for punching a Como player.

“We welcome Fifa’s decision to sanction Marco Curto following the discriminatory incident during our pre-season friendly against Como 1907,” the Premier League club’s director of football Matt Wild said in a statement.

“The suspension issued to the player sends a clear message that racism and discriminatory behaviour will not be tolerated in football or society.

“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 representatives were not immediately available for comment outside business hours.

In July, while condemning racism, Como said that Curto had referred to Hwang as “Jackie Chan” – the Hong Kong movie star – after hearing the Wolves players calling the forward by his nickname, “Channy”.

“As far as our club is concerned our player did not say anything in a derogatory manner,” the club said. “We are disappointed that the reaction of certain Wolves players has seen the incident blown out of proportion.”

At the last Fifa Congress in Bangkok in May, President Gianni Infantino launched what he described as a “global stand against racism”.

The governing body promised five areas of action, including mandatory sanctions for incidents of racism in or around matches.

“Racism is a scourge that exists in our society and is one also that is infiltrated in football. 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,” Infantino told the gathering of football officials from around the world.

In more positive news surrounding Como, the club will offer a free beer to each Napoli fan who travels to the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia for their Serie A fixture in February, the recently promoted club said on Oct 7, as they want to thank the supporters for the warm welcome they received on Oct 4 in Naples during a 3-1 loss.

Como, with two wins in seven games, returned to Serie A after a 21-year absence this season.

“Como 1907 would like to extend sincere thanks to @sscnapoli and its fans for the beautiful display of sportsmanship following the match on Friday evening,” Como said on social media platform X.

“The atmosphere at the Maradona stadium and reaction of both fans after the game was second to none. This is why Como 1907 will be buying a beer for every travelling Napoli fan at the return leg at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia in February 2025.”