Italian defender Marco Curto has been handed a 10-match ban by FIFA after racially abusing South Korean forward Hwang Hee-chan during a pre-season friendly in July. The incident occurred during a heated clash between Como, Curto’s parent club, and Wolverhampton Wanderers in Marbella, Spain.
Curto, currently on loan at Serie B side Cesena, will serve half of the suspension immediately, with the remaining five matches suspended for two years, provided there are no further incidents. Alongside the ban, he is required to complete community service and undergo anti-discrimination training approved by FIFA.
FIFA’s Stand Against Discrimination
“Marco Curto has been found guilty of discriminatory behavior, and we have imposed a 10-match ban,” a FIFA spokesperson confirmed. “This punishment reinforces FIFA’s position that racism has no place in football and will not be tolerated.”
Wolves quickly applauded the decision. “The sanction sends a powerful message that racism has no place in football or society,” said Matt Wild, Wolves’ Director of Football. “We stand firmly against any form of discrimination and will continue to create an environment of respect and inclusion.”
The incident, which saw Wolves’ winger Daniel Podence dismissed for striking a Como player in response, sparked outrage from Hwang’s teammates. The South Korean striker was subjected to a racially charged comment from Marco Curto, who reportedly referred to Hwang as “Jackie Chan” – an offensive remark masking as a nickname.
Como’s Controversial Response
In the aftermath, Como defended Marco Curto’s actions, downplaying the racial undertone by suggesting he merely repeated a nickname used by Wolves’ players for Hwang, “Channy.” The Italian club expressed frustration at what they described as an overreaction by Wolves. “Our player did not intend to be derogatory,” Como stated, expressing disappointment that the situation had been “blown out of proportion.”
Despite Como’s attempt to diffuse the controversy, FIFA’s ruling aligned with a broader push by the footballing body to eradicate racism. The punishment echoes FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s firm stance at the FIFA Congress in May, where he vowed to take stronger actions against racism, declaring it a “scourge” within football and society.
A Global Push for Change
“Infantino declared that racism has been a persistent problem in football. He emphasized that this is a societal issue, not just one confined to the sport. He called for everyone to join forces and fight against racism.”
With Marco Curto’s ban, FIFA has followed through on its pledge to deliver tangible consequences for racist behavior on and off the field, marking a significant step in their global anti-racism efforts.
The football world will be watching closely to see how this case shapes future incidents, as clubs and governing bodies continue to push for inclusivity and respect both in football and beyond.
