CFA tells Henan to reel in the rituals

The Chinese Football Association has told Super League side Henan Jianye to seek salvation from goals rather than the gods after Taoist priests performed an on-pitch ritual — and the team duly won at home for the first time in over three months.

The CFA is investigating after fans of the club invited 15 Taoist priests onto the pitch to pray for a good result before Sunday’s match with Shandong Luneng, which Henan won 2-1.

Shanghai-based portal The Paper carried images of the ritual, showing a desk on the pitch covered with a yellow cloth and burning incense on the eve of the game.

Three flags flutter behind the table bearing mantras including: “God’s will is that Jianye must win.”

The CFA has asked for an explanation from Henan, whose fear of relegation eased with the victory at its Zhengzhou Hanghai Stadium home.

“The soccer pitch is not a religious place and hosting such activities on a public sports field is neither appropriate nor conforming with the image of professional soccer,” said a CFA statement.

“Instead of asking for help from gods outside the pitch, Henan should seek victory through self-endeavor.”

Henan, for whom former West Ham United striker Ricardo Vaz Te scored the opener, said on Tuesday it was “touched by the fans’ desire and anxiety for the team to pull it together and fight to stay in the league”.

However, the club added: “Victory can’t be gained through prayers.”

Henan is 12th in the CSL standings, eight points above the drop zone.