CFA investigating Ba racism claims

The Chinese Football Association on Monday said it was investigating reports that Senegalese striker Demba Ba was subjected to racial slurs by an opposing Chinese player during a weekend match, vowing “stern punishment” if the incident proved true.

The African former Chelsea forward, now with Shanghai Shenhua, became embroiled in a heated confrontation with Changchun Yatai midfielder Zhang Li late in their 1-1 Chinese Super League draw on Saturday night after Ba collided with one of Zhang’s teammates.

Various Chinese media reports said a furious Ba later claimed that Zhang had hurled racially insulting remarks at him.

The CFA said in a statement that it had launched an investigation and would hold hearings to determine whether any rules were violated.

“If this is true, there will be stern punishment in accordance with the rules,” it said.

“We oppose racist behavior in any form.”

The statement did not mention any particular players.

Ba has not commented publicly on the affair but has retweeted anti-racism posts on his personal Twitter account.

During a post-match media conference, Shenhua coach Wu Jingui said “a Yatai player used insulting language” toward Ba.

Following the match, Chinese social media exploded with calls for an investigation.

If misconduct is proven, any guilty parties could face tough sanctions from domestic authorities.

Ba, a Senegal international, played for Shenhua in 2015-16 before being sidelined by a broken leg.

Brief spells with Turkish sides Besiktas and Goztepe followed before 33-year-old Ba returned to Shenhua in June during the summer transfer window.