Chinese league urged to keep order after flare-ups
CHANGSHA, China: A senior official called for “good order” between the Chinese Super League’s foreign and domestic players following allegations of racism and violence among a number of flare-ups involving top stars.
Zhang Jian, senior vice president and general secretary of the Chinese Football Association (CFA), said the league needed balance between home-grown players and the highly paid foreigners, whose ranks have swelled this season.
Ezequiel Lavezzi, the world’s best paid player according to the Football Leaks website, was engulfed in a race storm this week, and Brazilian striker Hulk is being probed over an alleged assault on a coach.
Zhang, a newly anointed member of the powerful FIFA Council, said the foreign players were positive for China’s football ambitions but he acknowledged that not all has run smoothly.
“Generally I think it’s a very good thing for us,” he told AFP at the World Football Forum in Changsha. “We have so many very good players from Brazil, Argentina and Europe like Hulk and Oscar.
“It’s very good motivation and a very good engine for us ,and of course the clubs have invested so much money in them.
“So after they’re coming we should... be well governed and keep good order, and keep a good balance between the local players and the foreign players.”
Chinese officials have been at pains to accommodate the new arrivals, with China international Qin Sheng handed an extraordinary six-month ban for stomping on the foot of Tianjin Quanjian’s Belgium midfielder Alex Witsel.
Qin’s Shanghai Shenhua team-mate Sun Shilin was also banned for two games for sarcastically giving Tianjin’s Alexandre Pato a thumbs-up after he missed a penalty.
When Guizhou Zhicheng coach Li Bing accused Shanghai SIPG’s Hulk of being anti-Chinese and punching assistant coach Yu Ming, he departed from his role within days.
However, the CFA has since launched an investigation into the incident, which is denied by both Hulk and his club.
Lavezzi, meanwhile, triggered outrage online after publicity photos emerged of him pulling back the corners of his eyes in a ‘slant-eyed’ pose.
The CFA ruled there was no “malicious intent,” but urged the Argentina international to “regulate his words and actions more.”
SEOUL: When the FIFA Under-20 World Cup kicks off in South Korea on Saturday, some of the planet’s most talented young players will be looking to emulate legends such as Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi and win the tournament MVP award.
From May 20 to June 11, a new generation of Argentinian prospects will try to lead the country to a record seventh victory, starting with a blockbuster clash against old rival England at Jeonju World Cup Stadium.
Host South Korea and Guinea complete Group A.
Argentina coach Claudio Ubeda is looking forward to the challenge. “We have a good record in this tournament,” he said in Vietnam earlier in May. “It is important to get off to a good start and we know that we have a very tough opening game against England.”
England is still trying to break its duck in this tournament though coach Paul Simpson arrives with a talented roster full of English Premier League talent including three from champion Chelsea and five from Everton.
“I’m delighted with the squad we’ve been able to assemble out here and really looking forward to seeing the players perform on a wonderful stage,” Simpson said on arrival in Korea. “Hopefully, we can entertain