[Reuters]
[Reuters]

South Korea striker Hwang Hee-chan, 30, of Schalke 04 has sparked controversy after losing composure during a match and shoving both a club physiotherapist and a linesman.

German outlet Bild reported Thursday (Korean Standard Time) under the headline "Schalke eliminated with terrible football," singling out the yellow card Hwang received during the match.

Hwang started alongside Edin Džeko in a two-striker formation for Schalke's 2026-27 DFB-Pokal second-round away fixture against Dynamo Dresden at Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion in Dresden.

The incident unfolded around the 40th minute of the first half. Hwang went down after a challenge with Dresden defender Friedrich Müller while driving toward the penalty area from the right flank. Hwang appealed for a foul, but the referee waved play on, and VAR did not intervene.

According to Ruhr24, Hwang briefly left the pitch for treatment after protesting the call. In the process, Hwang shoved the linesman who tried to restrain him as well as a Schalke physiotherapist. The referee responded by showing Hwang a yellow card.

Bild was pointed in its assessment, saying that touching or pushing a match official is "an absolute no-go in football" and that Hwang "should cross himself three times" for escaping with only a yellow card — describing the act as dangerous enough to have warranted a straight red.

Schalke head coach Miro Muslici expressed displeasure at Hwang's behavior at the post-match news conference. "I saw what Hwang did and I did not like it. We will discuss this matter further," Muslici said.

Schalke director Youri Mulder also indicated that action was needed over the rule violation. "This has to be addressed. Everyone knows the rules," Mulder said.

Two minutes after the incident, in first-half stoppage time, Hwang headed a cross from Džeko — the first shot for either side — but could not convert.

Meanwhile, Schalke, already mired in a four-match winless run in the league, were held scoreless against a second-division side and suffered the indignity of a sixth consecutive DFB-Pokal exit in the second round.


min3654@heraldcorp.com