Hwang Hee-chan booked again for needless foul on goalkeeper

South Korean international Hwang Hee-chan, 30, of Schalke has picked up another needless yellow card, coming on the heels of recent controversies involving a fourth official and a team doctor.

Schalke traveled to the PreZero Arena in Sinsheim on Monday (Korea Standard Time) for a 2026-27 Bundesliga Round 9 away fixture against Hoffenheim.

Schalke lost 1-2, dropping to 17th place — the relegation zone — with six points from one win, three draws and five defeats, extending their winless run to six consecutive league matches. In the Bundesliga, the bottom three of 18 clubs are relegated.

Hwang started and played the full 90 minutes. He has earned a starting berth in three consecutive matches, showing that manager Miron Muslic trusts him, but he again failed to score. He has now gone seven official matches without a goal since joining Schalke.

Hwang was booked during the match for an action that served little purpose. The yellow card came in the 75th minute when he attempted to interfere with an opposing goalkeeper's kick.

As the goalkeeper held the ball and prepared to launch a long kick, Hwang tried to block it with his foot. The goalkeeper protested, and the referee immediately produced a yellow card.

The incident is drawing scrutiny because it followed closely on Hwang's recent clashes with a fourth official and a team doctor. The trouble began late last month.

Earlier, in a German Football Association (DFB) Pokal match, Hwang sparked controversy when he shoved a fourth official while disputing a call. Manager Muslic publicly called out Hwang's behavior at the time and urged him to show more restraint. Hwang subsequently explained his side of the story, saying the contact had not been intentional.