Hwang Hee-chan Faces Alleged Racism in Pre-Season Clash

Hwang Hee-chan allegedly faced a racist remark from a Como player during a pre-season friendly between Wolves and Como, according to manager Gary O’Neil. The incident occurred in the second half, leading to Wolves’ Daniel Podence receiving a red card for his reaction. O’Neil stated that he offered Hwang the option to halt the game or substitute himself but the South Korean forward opted to continue playing as Wolves eventually won 1-0 at their training camp in Spain.

Expressing disappointment, O’Neil emphasized the negative impact of such incidents on the game and highlighted the need to address racism in football. Como, promoted to Serie A last season with backing from former Arsenal stars Cesc Fabregas and Thierry Henry, found themselves involved in this controversy. Despite his disappointment, O’Neil praised Hwang for prioritizing the team’s needs during a challenging moment.

Wolves, who previously condemned discriminatory abuse against Hwang in 2022, reiterated their stance against racism. They announced plans to file a formal complaint with UEFA regarding the incident, underscoring their commitment to combating discrimination in football. The situation underscores ongoing challenges with racism in sports and the importance of swift and decisive action to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all athletes.