AFC Asian Cup: racist abuse ‘violated human rights’ of Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, coach Hajime Moriyasu says
- Social media abuse came in week that also saw racist incidents in European football, prompting Fifa chief Gianni Infantino to call for tougher sanctions
- ‘If it has caused Zion harm, then he has the full support of the whole team,’ Hajime Moriyasu says. ‘This cannot happen in a diverse world’
Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu said he “strongly objected” to those who “violated the human rights” of Zion Suzuki, after the goalkeeper received racist abuse on social media following last week’s shock loss to Iraq at the AFC Asian Cup.
Moriyasu’s team, the highest ranked at the tournament in Qatar, play their final group game against Indonesia on Wednesday, and anything other than a victory to banish memories of Friday’s defeat would qualify as a major shock.
Born in the United States to a Japanese mother and a Ghanaian-American father, Suzuki, 21, told media after playing against Iraq that he accepted criticism of his performance but “would like people to stop making racist comments”.
Suzuki, who appeared to have disabled comments on his Instagram page on Monday, has six caps, after a debut in a 6-0 victory over Hong Kong at the 2022 East Asian Football Championship.
“Zion is an important player for Japan, and I strongly object to the people who violated his human rights and racially abused him,” Moriyasu said.
“If it has caused Zion harm, then he has the full support of the whole team. I want him to feel comfortable, and to be able to concentrate on his football. This cannot happen in a diverse world – through football we must bond together.”
