Frontale president claims no racial, political motivation behind fans’ confiscated wartime flag

Kawasaki Frontale club president Yoshihiro Warashina said Friday that there was no political or racial motivation behind a flag that has landed the J. League club in hot water with the Asian Football Confederation.

The AFC charged Frontale with discrimination on Thursday after their traveling supporters raised a controversial wartime Japanese flag during a midweek Asian Champions League match in South Korea against Suwon Bluewings.

According to article 58.3 of the AFC’s disciplinary and ethics code, the team could face a minimum penalty of playing two matches in an empty stadium plus a fine of at least $15,000.

But Warashina said, “We don’t think the flag in question was politically or racially motivated. We will emphasize that point (with the AFC).”

Two Frontale supporters waved the 16-ray rising sun flag during Kawasaki’s 1-0 victory at Suwon on Tuesday, which nearly triggered a post-match riot.

Kawasaki officials confiscated the flag from the two fans and had to escort other supporters out of the stadium.

LATEST SOCCER STORIES

Croatia left heartbroken yet proud after loss to France in World Cup final

The rain hid Croatia's tears. After Luka Modric collected his Golden Ball award in a downpour, he shared an emotional embrace with Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, both weari...

France beats Croatia to capture World Cup title

Taking turns sliding across the rain-soaked turf holding the World Cup trophy tight, teenager Kylian Mbappe and the rest of France's players acted like the youthful bunch they are. Nothing, not ...

Torres hopes to put Tosu on map

Fernando Torres wants to put the small southwestern city of Tosu on the soccer map, the former Atletico Madrid and Liverpool striker said Sunday. Speaking at a press conference shortly a...