The article discusses the rising incidents of racism in football, particularly against East and South East Asian players, highlighted by Marco Curto’s abuse of Wolverhampton’s Hwang Hee-chan. Kick It Out reports a significant increase in these incidents, with 12% involving East/South East Asian players last season. The piece stresses the need for education and public discussion to combat racism, citing efforts by the Frank Soo Foundation and Kick It Out to support affected players and raise awareness.
Hwang Hee-chan, a South Korean footballer for Wolverhampton Wanderers, became a focal point in the discussion around increasing racism in football when Italian player Marco Curto racially abused him during a friendly match in Marbella. This incident highlights an underreported trend in the sport, especially concerning East and South East Asian players, as recorded by the charity Kick It Out.
According to Kick It Out, there were 473 reported incidents of racist abuse in England’s professional leagues last season, with 12 percent directed at players of East/South East Asian descent. The report indicates a troubling year-on-year increase, with 35 percent of player-specific abuse reports over the last five seasons involving these players. Kick It Out’s chief executive, Sam Okafor, noted that the percentage of reports involving these communities has nearly doubled, emphasizing the growing need for awareness and action.
Following Curto’s racist comments, Wolves players expressed their outrage, particularly Daniel Podence, who received a red card for his reaction. FIFA subsequently investigated the incident, leading to Curto’s ten-match suspension, which included five games suspended for two years. This punishment reflects FIFA’s commitment to confronting discrimination within the sport.
Meanwhile, a separate incident involved Spurs midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur, who faced scrutiny for suggesting that all Korean people look alike. Although he has apologized, the seriousness of his comments could result in a suspension of six to twelve domestic games, as the Football Association considers disciplinary measures.
Como’s attempt to downplay Curto’s actions by framing them as a joke was met with condemnation. Okafor emphasized that perceiving any form of racism as humorous indicates a significant lack of understanding. The need for education around the seriousness of racism is paramount, as it remains unacceptable in both football and broader society.
The induction of Frank Soo into the Hall of Fame at the National Football Museum serves as a reminder of the long-standing issues related to racial discrimination in football. Soo, the first Chinese player in the Football League, exemplified the underreported history of racial diversity in the sport. The Frank Soo Foundation aims to honor his legacy by advocating against racism and supporting East and South East Asian players.
Alan Lau, chair of the Frank Soo Foundation, pointed out that the increase in racism parallels the visibility of East and South East Asian footballers. He remarked that societal perceptions often fail to recognize the racism faced by these players, partly due to a lack of awareness and conversation surrounding this issue. More public discourse is required to address the stereotypes and prejudices that persist today.
The rising number of incidents is also linked to broader societal issues, such as accessibility and economic barriers within football. As football prices increase, some fans may feel resentment toward perceived outsiders attending matches. Lau stressed that such feelings should not be conflated with racism, highlighting the importance of understanding the negative impact of such attitudes.
Kick It Out’s data reveals a distressing upward trend in racist incidents targeting East and South East Asian players, increasing from two percent of reports in the 2019-20 season to 48 percent last season. In response, the charity will enhance its educational programs aimed at raising awareness about racism against these communities in football.
Despite the troubling rise in incidents, Kick It Out acknowledges the increased number of reports from fans, which may indicate a growing intolerance towards racism. The focus will remain on thoroughly investigating each report and imposing appropriate sanctions, which may include bans or educational initiatives. Okafor asserts the importance of sending a clear message that racism has no place in football and stressing the value of education in combating it.
Original Source: www.nytimes.com
