Como defender Marco Curto has been handed a 10-game ban by FIFA for racially abusing Wolves star Hwang Hee-chan during a pre-season friendly in July.
The South Korean forward was subjected to racist abuse by Curto during the match between the Serie A side and the English Premier League outfit.
The Korea Football Association took up the matter with FIFA, expressing their concern over the incident. FIFA has now imposed a 10-match ban on the Italian defender.
According to The Independent, a FIFA spokesperson has said: “The player 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, and the player is ordered to render community services and undergo training and education with an organisation approved by FIFA.”
At the time of the incident, Como issued a statement backing their player. The club denied any racist intent, claiming that Curto’s comment was a reference to Hwang’s name and the nickname “Channy” used by his own teammates.
The statement read: “Our club does not tolerate racism and condemns all forms of it in the strongest possible way. We spoke to the defender in question to understand what was said. He has told us the comment he made, to his co-defender, was ‘ignore him, he thinks he’s Jackie Chan’.
“Having spoken to our player at length, we are confident this was in reference to the player’s name, and to the constant reference 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.”
Gary O’Neil’s side are currently bottom of the English Premier League table with just a point from seven matches, and Hwang has yet to score in the 2024-25 season.
Wolves will return to action after the international break when they face reigning champions Manchester City on October 20.
