Ahn - sacking being looked into by EU. (Allsport)

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The European Union is taking a serious interest in the controversy over the alleged sacking of Korean World Cup hero Ahn Jung-Hwan by his Italian club Perugia.

The Serie A club's president, Lucian Gaucci, announced the player had been released after he scored the winner for South Korea against Italy in their second round encounter on Tuesday.

Gaucci said he was unhappy with comments Ahn made after the match, but EU official are concerned the dismissal is a breach of their anti-discrimination policy.

Glyn Ford, a Labour Member of the European Parliament (MEP) and Chair of the European Parliament's All Party Sport's Intergroup, has called on the EU to investigate the Italian side.

Ford, who has tabled a Parliamentary Resolution calling for EU action, said: "Respect for basic human rights is a fundamental principle underlying the EU Treaties.

"We need urgent action from the European Commission to investigate whether Lucian Gaucci (Perugia president) is in breach of EU anti- discrimination law."

Gaucci denied Ahn had been dumped simply for scoring the winning goal against the Azzurri.

"He could have scored 10 and I wouldn't have felt offended. It was simply the comments he made (before the match)," he said

"He stated Korean football was superior to Italian football, when Italy is a footballing nation.

"We have treated him well with all our love, but his comments were offensive to me and to the whole Italian nation," he said.