Hwang Hee-chan's Teammate Furious After Racial Discrimination... Throws Punch and Gets Sent Off

A Teammate Threw a Punch at the Player
Club Files a Complaint to UEFA After the Match

Hwang Hee-chan of Wolverhampton Wanderers in the English Premier League (EPL) experienced racial discrimination from an opposing player during a pre-season friendly match. On the 16th (Korean time), Wolverhampton posted on their official website, "We won 1-0 against Como 1907 (Italy) with a header goal by Matt Doherty, but the victory was overshadowed as Hwang Hee-chan was subjected to racist remarks." They added, "Daniel Podence, enraged by the racist comments directed at Hwang Hee-chan, reacted strongly and was sent off, but Wolverhampton secured the win."

Hwang Hee-chan of Wolverhampton in the English Premier League (EPL) experienced racial discrimination from an opposing player during a pre-season practice match.
[Photo by AFP·Yonhap News]

Wolverhampton, currently training in Marbella, Spain, played a friendly match on the afternoon of the 15th local time at the Marbella training ground against Como, who finished second in last season's Italian Serie B and were promoted to Serie A this season.

Hwang Hee-chan, who was on the bench during the first half, was brought onto the field at the start of the second half. At the 23rd minute of the second half, Hwang heard racist remarks from an opposing player, which enraged his teammate Podence, who punched the player responsible for the racist comments and was subsequently sent off. Wolverhampton manager Gary O'Neil asked Hwang if he was okay to continue playing, and Hwang, who took over the captain's armband from Mario Lemina, completed the match.

After the game, O'Neil said, "Hwang Hee-chan was subjected to racist remarks. I asked him if he could continue playing, and he said he would play until the end. It is very disappointing that such an incident occurred. It should never happen." He added, "Despite the offensive experience, I was proud that Hwang prioritized the team. He has the full support of his teammates." Wolverhampton also stated, "Racist behavior is unacceptable in any form," and announced that they would file a complaint with the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) regarding this matter.

Previously, in May last year, Tottenham's Son Heung-min was also subjected to racial discrimination by a fan. The British football fan who made racist gestures towards Son Heung-min was banned from attending all football matches for the next three years. Additionally, during international football events such as the World Cup, the fan must surrender their passport.