Shocking: "Does it matter if Um Ji-sung faces racism?"... Opposing manager, after match delay, makes outrageous remark: "Why was it stopped for 15 minutes!"

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

When the match was halted due to a report of racism directed at Um Ji-sung (24, Swansea City), Alex Neil, manager of the opposing team Millwall, voiced strong dissatisfaction.

The UK's "Talk Sports" reported on the 14th (Korean time) that "Manager Neil expressed outrage over the match delay caused by the racism incident involving Um Ji-sung, asking 'Why was it stopped for 15 minutes?'"

According to the media, Millwall home fans chanted racist slogans at Um Ji-sung while he was warming up with teammates in preparation for a substitute appearance. Referee Richard Dewsnup, who recognized the protest, immediately stopped the match and explained the situation to both teams' coaching staffs. Subsequently, the Millwall club announced via public address that police were tracking the perpetrator using CCTV footage.

Manager Neil expressed dissatisfaction during the lengthy match interruption. In an interview with the media, Manager Neil stated, "If it is a problem that cannot be resolved immediately, they should have reported the situation to the fourth official and continued the game," adding, "I do not understand why the match was stopped for 15 minutes, completely breaking the flow." However, at the time of the interview, Manager Neil did not know that the cause of the incident was racism.

As the controversy grew, the Millwall club immediately issued an official statement. The club announced, "We do not tolerate any form of discrimination" and "We will actively support the police investigation to identify the perpetrator."

Vitor Matos, manager of Swansea City, praised the referee's and Millwall club's response. Manager Matos stated, "The most important thing is how the player felt," emphasizing, "The referee's decision to receive the complaint and follow the regulations was correct. Millwall's handling of the situation by informing via public address was also excellent."

Um Ji-sung, who had been named on the substitute list that day, ultimately did not play. Additionally, Manager Matos added that Um Ji-sung not stepping onto the pitch was unrelated to the racism incident.

Meanwhile, Swansea City secured a 1-0 victory thanks to a dramatic winning goal by Ronaldo in the 45th minute of the second half, despite the unsettled atmosphere. Swansea City, which has recorded only one loss in its first 10 matches since the start of the season, firmly maintained its top position in the league, leading Middlesbrough by one point. Swansea City aims for a five-game winning streak in its home match against West Ham United on the 17th.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original