The incident involving Marco Curto’s racial abuse of Hwang Hee-chan during a pre-season friendly has spotlighted the rising problem of racism in football, particularly against East and South East Asian players. Reports show a steady increase of racial abuse incidents directed at these players, along with a need for improved education and sanctions surrounding such issues. Kick It Out aims to address and reduce these incidents through awareness and educational programs.
A pre-season friendly match in Marbella highlighted the serious issue of racism in football when Marco Curto of Italian club Como racially insulted Wolverhampton Wanderers’ South Korean player Hwang Hee-chan. This incident brought to attention an increasing trend of abuse against East and South East Asian players, which has been underreported despite growing acknowledgment.
Reports from the anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out revealed that last season saw 473 incidents of racist abuse in England’s professional leagues, with 12% involving East and South East Asian players. Moreover, the percentage of reports related specifically to these groups has surged significantly.
Sam Okafor, chief executive of Kick It Out, noted, “We’ve had a year-on-year increase of incidents and reports coming into Kick It Out. Last season, 48 per cent of player reports were targeted at East and South East Asian players.” Such findings indicate a troubling pattern of discrimination that needs to be addressed.
Following the incident against Hwang, Wolves players protested Curto’s behavior, leading to a red card issued to Daniel Podence for striking a Como player. FIFA subsequently banned Curto for 10 matches, with five matches suspended for two years, underscoring the seriousness of his actions according to a FIFA spokesperson.
The situation surrounding Hwang was complicated by a comment made by Tottenham Hotspur’s Rodrigo Bentancur regarding his teammate Son Heung-min, suggesting all Koreans “look the same.” Although Bentancur apologized, he faces potential disciplinary action that could result in a ban of six to 12 domestic games.
In a perplexing attempt at justification, Como claimed Curto’s comments referenced Jackie Chan in jest, but this explanation was swiftly dismissed by FIFA. Okafor emphasized the need for education on the issue of racism, stating, “Anyone who thinks that any form of racism is a joke needs to get further education.” He argued that such comments are unacceptable in society and the sport.
Additionally, Frank Soo was recently honored in the Hall of Fame at England’s National Football Museum for being the first player of Chinese heritage in the Football League. Soo, who played for Stoke City, also served in the military during World War II, and his legacy inspires the Frank Soo Foundation, which aims to combat racism in football.
Alan Lau, chairman of the foundation, commented that the rise in high-profile players from East and South East Asian communities correlates with an uptick in racial abuse. He noted societal perceptions contribute to misunderstandings about the nature of such racism, indicating a lack of public discourse on the issue compared to other forms of racist abuse.
Lau elaborated on the broader context, explaining that visible minorities often face animosity, particularly in light of financial barriers to attending matches. He stressed that while resentment toward pricing issues is understandable, it should never be intertwined with racism.
Kick It Out’s statistics reveal a concerning trend, with incidents of player-specific abuse rising in recent years. The percentage of reports concerning East and South East Asian players has also grown from 2% to 48%. This uptick highlights the urgent need for awareness programs targeted at educating fans and players about discrimination.
Kick It Out is committed to replicating prior educational initiatives tailored to address racism against these communities. They remain hopeful given the increasing reports from fans about discrimination incidents, indicating a communal unwillingness to tolerate such behavior.
Okafor reiterated the necessity for thorough investigations into every incident, advocating for appropriate sanctions, education, and a strong message against racism in football. The hope is to foster an environment where all forms of discrimination are identified and addressed effectively within the sport.
Original Source: www.nytimes.com
