Defender Sunao Hozaki, who plays for Kanazawa Zweigen in the J. League's lower-tier J3 division, will be suspended for three games due to racist comments he made to an opposing player in a match against FC Machida last Saturday in Ishikawa Prefecture, his club announced Friday.
Kanazawa said in consideration of the opposing player's rights, they have not made public the comments used against him. They also have not mentioned him by name. Hozaki will be suspended for matches on June 1, June 8 and June 14.
The Japan Football Association's disciplinary standard for a player who commits acts of racism is suspension of at least five games and a fine of ¥100,000 or more. However, Hozaki's punishment was lightened, taking into consideration that he apologized directly to the player following the match.