Chinese FA probe fishy result of Tianjin derby

SHANGHAI: The Chinese Football Association have launched an investigation into the Tianjin derby after relegation-threatened Teda stunned Fabio Cannavaro’s heavily fancied Quanjian 4-1 in the Chinese Super League (CSL).

Ghana’s Frank Acheampong scored twice in two first-half minutes at home on Saturday as Tianjin Teda buried their city rivals to boost their chances of avoiding relegation from the CSL with five games to go.

It was Teda’s first win in nearly four months and the one-sided result raised eyebrows.

Brazilian striker Alexandre Pato pulled one back for Tianjin Quanjian, who are fourth in the table.

The CFA said in a statement on Weibo, China’s equivalent of Twitter: “The Chinese Football Association have launched an investigation into the game.

“Any violations of fair play will be severely dealt with according to the law,” they added, saying that the CFA “will collect all available facts and evidence related to this game”.

The CFA did not give further details, but Chinese football is attempting to move on from past controversies including match-fixing and corrupt referees.

Belgian international Axel Witsel, who was credited with the assist for Pato, tweeted after the heavy defeat: “Tough loss in the Tianjin derby today but defeats like this build character. Five games left to give everything for the third place.” — AFP