DOHA — Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu said he was “ashamed and appalled” to see his goalkeeper Zion Suzuki subjected to racial abuse on social media after they lost their second Asian Cup group game against Iraq last week.
Iraq claimed their first victory over Japan in 42 years with a 2-1 upset after Suzuki’s error allowed Aymen Hussein to score the opener.
The 21-year-old, who has a Ghanaian-American father and Japanese mother, said he welcomed criticism of his performances but wanted people to stop commenting on his race.
“For our precious player Suzuki, I feel very ashamed and appalled that he was racially discriminated. I will support him in any way possible to make sure he’s fully concentrated and focussed,” Moriyasu told reporters on Tuesday.
“I think this can’t happen in any case. They should respect human rights, it can’t happen in a diverse world. We live in a world where these things may happen but through football we must bond together.”
The incident comes after AC Milan’s French goalkeeper Mike Maignan briefly walked off the pitch in protest during a 3-2 win at Udinese in Serie A over the weekend when he was subjected to racial abuse.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino even suggested that clubs should face “automatic defeat” if their fans display racist behaviour.
Japan are looking to get their Asian Cup campaign back on track when they face Indonesia on Wednesday with both teams on three points each, behind group toppers Iraq who have qualified for the last 16 with six points.
Moriyasu accepted responsibility for the loss against Iraq and said he had sought the opinions of his players and staff to prepare for their final group game.
“I try to listen to my players and staff’s opinions as much as possible. I’m not a top-down style manager, I’m open to everyone. I try to synchronize…
Read the full article here
