Ex-Chelsea striker Demba Ba at centre of China racism row

shANghAi: Senegalese striker Demba Ba (pic) found himself at the centre of a racism controversy in China over allegations that an opposing Chinese player hurled insensitive comments at him during a match.

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

Various Chinese media reports said a furious Ba later claimed that Zhang Li made racially insulting remarks.

In a post-match press conference, Shenhua coach Wu Jingui condemned the incident.

“Later, I learned that a Yatai player used insulting language towards him (Ba). Around the world, it has been stressed that there should be no insulting speech towards black athletes,” Wu Jingui said, in comments posted on a team social media account.

“The Chinese Super League have players of many different skin colours. We should respect our opponents and there should be no discrimination.”

Following the match, many postings on Chinese social media as well as news media reports called for an investigation.

Ba also retweeted on his Twitter account a posting calling for “serious disciplinary actions” over the incident.

Ba, a Senegalese international, had played for Shenhua in 20152016 before being sidelined by a broken leg.

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