Once again the English Premier League is embroiled in controversy over "Asian passing." Uzbekistan national team defender Abdukodir Husonov (22, Manchester City) was not captured by the camera at the moment he lifted his first major trophy.
Manchester City defeated Arsenal 2-0 in the 2025-2026 Carabao Cup (League Cup) final at Wembley Stadium in London on the 23rd (Korean time).
With this victory, Man City secured their ninth League Cup title. Returning to the top of the competition for the first time since the 2020-2021 season, they closed the gap to all-time winning leader Liverpool (10) to just one. It was also the 10th trophy won under manager Pep Guardiola, who took the helm 10 years ago.
Meanwhile, Arsenal once again failed to overcome Man City's wall, ending hopes of their first Carabao Cup title in 33 years. Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga's baffling mistake led to a first goal by Neco O'Riley in the 15th minute, and four minutes later they conceded again to O'Riley and collapsed. Added to that was late second-half misfortune hitting the post, leaving them to settle for runner-up right before their eyes.
Husonov played the full 90 minutes and helped secure Man City's victory. Born in 2004, he joined Man City last year as the club's first Uzbek player. Since then, under Guardiola, he has alternated between right fullback and center back and has continued to develop steadily.
And after lifting the trophy, Husonov. Uzbekistan "Zamin" praised, "Husonov has set an important milestone in his career. He has just lifted his first major trophy on the European stage," adding, "Husonov showed stable central defensive play. He neutralized Viktor Gyokeres throughout the match, proving once again his excellent defending and calculated playing style."
The outlet went on, "In this way Husonov achieved a great result by lifting a historic winning trophy with Man City. This is not only his personal achievement but also a great accomplishment that will go down in Uzbekistan's football history. If he continues this momentum, this will be only the beginning," it said, expressing expectations.
However, a controversial moment occurred during the postgame trophy ceremony. Man City players went up to the second-tier stands and, one by one, lifted the trophy in a cup ceremony. The broadcast camera was also close-up on this.
But when it was Husonov's turn, the camera angle changed. After John Stones shook the trophy vigorously and just before handing it to the beaming Husonov, the broadcast suddenly switched to a high-angle shot capturing the entire stands. Then when Erling Haaland, who had been standing right next to Husonov, lifted the trophy, the camera zoomed back in on the player.
Coincidentally, only Husonov's image was not properly captured by the camera. Seeing this, fans raised suspicions of Asian passing. Critics said it was a form of racial discrimination that intentionally excluded the Asian player Husonov.
The reason such criticism arises is that there have been quite a few similar past cases. Not only South Korean representatives Ki Sung-yueng, Son Heung-min, and Kim Min-jae, but also Japan's Shinji Okazaki and Minamino Takumi have had the camera look elsewhere just before they lifted trophies.
Of course, from a production standpoint it is impossible to capture every player with the camera. There have been occasions when a trophy ceremony was well broadcasted, like with Park Ji-sung. But the coincidences of relatively few Asian players being passed over continue. It seems natural that fans raise suspicions.
[Photo] ⓒGettyimages (unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited), Coupang Play broadcast screen capture.
[OSEN]