Football Association Raises Issue Over Hwang Hee-chan's 'Racism' Incident

Hwang Hee-chan Faces Racist Remarks During Friendly Match
"I'm By Your Side"... Son Heung-min Also Supports Hwang Hee-chan

Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton Wanderers) was subjected to racial discrimination by an opposing player during a friendly match in Spain, prompting the Korea Football Association (KFA) to raise concerns about the issue.

On the 18th, the association stated through X (formerly Twitter), "In an official letter sent to FIFA, we expressed serious concerns regarding the racial discrimination Hwang Hee-chan experienced from an opposing player during a recent practice match, and requested that FIFA strengthen sanctions against the perpetrators to prevent and eradicate racism in football."

South Korean national football team player Hwang Hee-chan is returning home through Incheon International Airport Terminal 2 on the morning of the 7th of last month after the 2026 CONCACAF World Cup Asia second qualifying round match against Singapore.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, on the 15th (local time), during a pre-season friendly match against Italy's Serie A team Como 1907 held in Marbella, Spain, Hwang Hee-chan heard racially discriminatory remarks from opposing team players. In response, his teammate Daniel Podence, enraged, punched an opposing player and was sent off.

After the match, Wolverhampton released a statement saying, "Racism in any form is unacceptable and must never be tolerated," and announced their intention to report the matter to the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). Son Heung-min (Tottenham Hotspur), captain of the South Korean national football team, also commented in English on Hwang Hee-chan’s Instagram, saying, "By your side mate," and added the hashtag "No room for Racism."

[Image source=Korea Football Association X]

However, Como 1907 denied that the remarks were racially discriminatory. The club issued a statement under the name of owner Mirwan Suwarso, saying, "After questioning the player involved, it was found that he told a teammate, 'Ignore Hwang Hee-chan. He thinks he is Jackie Chan,'" and claimed, "Hwang Hee-chan’s teammates have also called him 'Channy'." Their explanation was that since Wolverhampton players called Hwang 'Channy,' their own defender referred to him as 'Jackie Chan.' 'Jackie Chan' is the English name of Hong Kong actor 성룡 (Seong Ryong). However, abroad, the term is often used as a derogatory expression towards East Asians, implying that 'all Asians look alike.'