The KFA wrote to Fifa expressing “serious concerns” over a Como player’s alleged racist remarks directed against Wolves’ Hwang Hee-chan during a preseason friendly.
Hwang, a forward from South Korea, made the comment during Monday’s friendly in Marbella, Spain.
Como said that one of their players alluded to Hwang’s name.
The Italian team stated that “the reaction of certain Wolves players has seen the incident blown out of proportion” and that they did not view the comment as racist.
Insisting that it was racist, Wolves and Hwang are preparing a formal protest with the English Football Association, which will be forwarded to both the Italian FA and Uefa.
Since it wasn’t a Uefa competitive match, European football’s governing body, Uefa, had previously maintained that it lacked the authority to look into the incident.
The KFA has now brought the issue up with FIFA, the organization that oversees international football.
“The Korea Football Association expressed serious concern about the racist behavior suffered by Hwang Hee-chan from an opposing team player during a recent practice match,” the KFA said in an official letter sent to FIFA on July 18. The KFA also called for the prevention of racial discrimination on the soccer field.
“In order to eradicate it, we asked Fifa to further strengthen sanctions against perpetrators.”
Wolves said the incident took place midway through the second half, with forward Daniel Podence sent off for throwing a punch in the aftermath.
Boss Gary O’Neil asked Hwang if he wanted to abandon the game but the 28-year-old declined, with Wolves going on to win 1-0.
Hwang subsequently posted on his Instagram:, external “Racism is intolerable in sports and in all aspects of life.
“After the incident, the coaching staff and my team-mates immediately told me that they would leave the field with me if needed, and they kept checking on my wellbeing.
“I am very grateful to my team-mates once again.”