Capello frustrated as fists fly in China
SHANGHAI: New manager Fabio Capello told players to cool it after scuffles marred Jiangsu Suning’s 0-0 draw with Beijing Guoan, in just the latest outbreak of violence in the Chinese Super League.
Capello, who picked up his first league point with struggling Jiangsu, watched as players came to blows at the end of Monday’s game – days after heavy punishments were handed out for a similar incident.
Shanghai SIPG’s Brazilian international Oscar was hit with an eight-game ban last week for sparking a mass brawl, and the Chinese Football Association may consider more punishments following the latest disorder.
Turkey’s Burak Yilmaz was the culprit this time and the Beijing Guoan forward was sent off for violent conduct after lashing out during a melee at the end of the home draw, which featured seven yellow cards and several flashpoints.
Players and staff from both sides piled in as the game ended in acrimony, and Capello said he hoped both teams could learn to obey the rules.
“This match was very hard. Both teams were aggressive and had chances to win,” Capello told domestic media after just his second league game in charge of ambitious Jiangsu, who have splashed out on high-priced imports such as Brazilian ball-winner Ramires and playmaker Alex Teixeira.
“The dispute after the match wasn’t good and I hope the players of both teams can obey the rules of fair competition,” added Capello, whose long coaching career has taken in the England and Russia national jobs, and Real Madrid and AC Milan.
Jiangsu goalkeeper Gu Chao had an outstanding game as Capello recorded his first point with Jiangsu, who remain second from bottom in the 16-team league despite their lavish spending. AFP by a Spanish judge on July 31 over alleged tax evasion.
Fabio Coentrao, the Portugal international who also plays for Real Madrid, is suspected of having hidden close to €1.3 million in revenues.
And Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho, another Mendes client, has been accused of failing to pay millions of euros in taxes during his time in charge of Real Madrid.
In this case though, Mendes’ company Gestifute said Mourinho had resolved the situation with tax authorities.
Mendes, a 51-year-old former nightclub manager, found himself in the eye of the storm last year in the “Football Leaks” media investigation into alleged soccer corruption.
Based on millions of documents, the investigation claims he offered his clients ways to avoid paying taxes on some of the money they earned.
According to the EIC media consortium he allegedly helped his clients evade a total of €185 million in advertising revenues “via a network of shell companies and offshore accounts in Ireland, in the British Virgin Islands, Panama and Switzerland.”
Mendes, who is very discreet and rarely gives interviews, has vigorously denied any wrongdoing. AFP