Image source, Huw Evans Picture AgencyImage caption, Eom Ji-sung has scored eight goals in 96 appearances since joining from South Korean side Gwangju FC in 2024
ByGareth VincentBBC Sport Wales- Published27 minutes ago
Vitor Matos says Eom Ji-sung has the strength to move on from the alleged racial abuse which marred Swansea City's win at Millwall.
The Metropolitan Police is investigating after Swansea's staff reported alleged abuse aimed at South Korea international Eom at The Den on Tuesday.
Matos says winger Eom, 24, "feels supported" at Swansea on the back of an incident that is "sad for everyone, either in football or in society".
"You have a behaviour that unfortunately nowadays still happens in the world we live in," the Swansea head coach said.
"We have a tool to fight against that. We used that [by reporting the allegation]; now he's moving on.
"As an adult, he understands that he needs to speak about these situations. You complain about the situation, and you have the strength as well to move on - that's how we should handle it."
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Figure caption,Matos supporting Eom after alleged racist abuse at Millwall
Matos reiterated that officials at Millwall "did really well to follow the protocol" after the alleged abuse was reported in the second half of Swansea's 1-0 win, prompting a delay of around seven minutes before the game resumed.
When asked what he expects to come next, Matos added: "That all ways of investigating what happened come to a conclusion and then with that conclusion, hopefully everyone can be aware of that, and Millwall decide to do what they need to do in this kind of situation."
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Adam Idah has scored four goals for Swansea this season
The incident at Millwall came just over a fortnight after it emerged that the Football Association of Ireland was investigating whether Swansea forward Adam Idah was racially abused by Israel supporters during a Nations League fixture with the Republic of Ireland last month.
Matos has spoken to Idah, 25, about what occurred during a match played in Serbia.
"It's a different situation because in the end the referee [in that game] said he didn't hear anything so they could not stop the game," Matos said.
"I was not there, so it's hard for me to judge the situation.
"I was there [at Millwall], I was quite clear the fourth [official] followed the protocol, which I think is the right thing to do in these situations, and now there's an investigation."
Eom, an unused substitute at Millwall, has been in fine form for Swansea this season, while he also helped South Korea win the Asian Games earlier this month.
He will be in contention to feature when Swansea, who are top of the Championship, host third-placed West Ham United on Saturday (15:00 BST).
