Como star given lengthy ban by FIFA for racially abusing Wolves star Hwang Hee-chan

The South Korean forward was racially abused by Curto during a pre-season friendly between the Serie A side and the Premier League outfit in July. The Korea Football Association later took up the matter with FIFA and expressed their concern over the incident. The apex body has now handed a 10-match ban to the Italian defender.

As per 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 backed their player in a shocking statement. "Our club does not tolerate racism and condemns all forms of it in the strongest possible way," the statement read. "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 Premier League table with just a point from seven matches, and Hwang has yet to open his scoring account for the 2024-25 season. Wolves will be back in action after the international break when they face reigning champions Manchester City on October 20.