FIFA Suspends Footballer Marco Curto for 10 Games Following Racial Abuse of Wolves Star Hwang Hee-chan

Como football star Marco Curto has received a substantial ban from FIFA after being found guilty of racially abusing Wolves star Hwang Hee-chan during a pre-season friendly.

In July, Wolves faced the Italian side in Marbella, and the match was overshadowed by discriminatory behavior from Curto.

Following the incident, Wolves sought guidance from the FA regarding a formal complaint, while UEFA could not act due to the match being unofficial and outside their jurisdiction.

The South Korean federation also reached out to FIFA to express their concerns.

In response, Como issued a statement suggesting that Wolves had exaggerated the significance of the incident, even admitting that one of their players had called Hwang “Jackie Chan.”

Nevertheless, Curto has now been found guilty and handed a 10-match ban, with five of those matches suspended for two years.

A FIFA spokesperson stated, ‘The player Marco Curto was found responsible for discriminatory behavior and sanctioned with a 10-match suspension. Half of those matches will be suspended for a probation period of two years, and the player is required to complete community service and undergo training and education with an organization approved by FIFA.’

The Premier League side’s director of football, Matt Wild, added: ‘We welcome Fifa’s decision to sanction Marco Curto following the discriminatory incident during our pre-season friendly against Como 1907.

‘The suspension issued to the player sends a clear message that racism and discriminatory behaviour will not be tolerated in football or society.’