Serie A side Como have accused Wolves’ players of over-reacting despite confirming an inflammatory remark was made towards their South Korea striker Hwang Hee-chan.
A friendly between the sides in Marbella yesterday descended into chaos when a Como player called Hwang “Jackie Chan”, a reference to the martial arts actor who was born in Hong Kong.
Wolves’ Daniel Podence was sent off in the ensuing melee while the club’s manager Gary O’Neil asked Hwang if he wanted the game to be abandoned, an offer he declined.
Official statement regarding yesterday’s incident during our friendly vs. Wolves: pic.twitter.com/BuacRrbOQU
— Como1907 (@Como_1907) July 16, 2024
Como released a statement today in which they clarified their version of events and said the incident had been “blown out of proportion”.
“Our club does not tolerate racism and condemns all forms of it in the strongest possible way,’ said Mirwan Suwarso, a representative of Como’s owners.
“We spoke to the defender in question to understand what was said.
“He has told us the comment he made, to his co-defender, was ‘ignore him, he thinks he’s Jackie Chan’.
“Having spoken to our player at length, we are confident this was in reference to the player’s name, and to the constant references of ‘Channy’ made by his own team-mates on the pitch.
“As far as our club is concerned our player did not say anything in a derogatory manner. We are disappointed that the reaction of certain Wolves players has seen the incident blown out of proportion.”
Gary O’Neil addresses the incident that overshadowed our first pre-season training game.
🗣️🎥 pic.twitter.com/YCz5sGduyM
— Wolves (@Wolves) July 15, 2024
O’Neil said the remark was “hugely offensive” and that Hwang was “really disappointed”.
Wolves sent a complaint to UEFA but European football’s governing body said they could not intervene as it lay outside their jurisdiction.
