A player who racially abused Wolves forward Hwang Hee-chan during a pre-season friendly has been handed a 10-game ban by FIFA, including five for two years. .
Marco Kurt, who was playing for Como at the time and is currently on loan at Italian second-tier Cesena, was found guilty of abusing a fan during a friendly match in Marbella in July.
A spokesperson for soccer's world governing body said, “Marco Kurt has been found responsible for acts of discrimination and has been suspended for 10 games.''
“Half of those matches will result in a two-year suspended suspension, and the players will be ordered to perform community service and undergo training and education at a FIFA-approved organization.”
The South Korean player's national soccer association contacted FIFA in July and expressed “serious concerns” about the incident.
Speaking after the verdict, Wolves' director of football operations and management, Matt Wilde, said: “We welcome FIFA's decision to sanction Marco Kurt following the discriminatory incident in the pre-season friendly against Como in 1907. It sends a clear message that this behavior will not be tolerated in football or in society.”
Como claimed at the time that the incident was “out of proportion”. Mirwan Swarso, a spokesman for the Italian club's owner, said Kurt had told the club he had told a fellow defender: “Ignore[the fans]. I think it's Jackie Chan.”
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“After much discussion with the player, we believe this is a reference to the player's name and how his teammates constantly called him 'Chaney' on the pitch,” Swarso added. “As far as our club is concerned, none of our players said anything in a derogatory manner. We are disappointed that the reaction of some Wolves players has allowed this incident to be blown out of proportion. I feel sorry for that.”
