CFA vows to crack down on increasing violence
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Soccer fans of Henan Jianye clash with police after the team's Chinese Super League game against Jiangsu Shuntian on Aug 18. [China Daily] |
After 50 troubled days, the Chinese Football Association (CFA) has taken a clear-cut stand against the violence permeating the game.
"The CFA will seriously punish organizations and individuals who violate the rules in a football match," said Wang Xiaoping, chief of the CFA's disciplinary committee, "Undisciplined clubs and players will face points reductions, relegation, transfer restrictions and expiration of registration qualification. People breaking the laws will be transferred to a judicial authority," Wang said.
Violence has flooded the Chinese soccer leagues this season. Some club officials and players have insulted and criticized referees while several arenas were unable to ensure the requisite security at games, which resulted in fans rushing on to the pitch to attack referees.
Also, troublemakers have grabbed the opportunity to besiege referees and pelt team buses after matches.
The CFA has set more regulations in place for coaches because the undisciplined behavior of some coaches has spilled over on to the pitch.
"A team's head coach should set a positive example for the players instead of igniting violence," said Yang Xinli, chief of CFA's technical department, "Coaches breaking the rules will be excluded from higher-level training classes. Serious misconduct will lead to the withdrawing of his coaching qualifications," Yang said.
According to Yang, who is also responsible for referee management, referees should also improve their abilities to ensure the smooth and peaceful progress of matches.
He said, apart from technical know-how, a comprehensive knowledge of the two sides was very important, including the teams' current standings, any former conflicts between the clubs and certain players, as well as whether the sides were fighting for the championship or struggling to stay in the league.
"Referees need to be flexible and unaffected in a match," Yang said. "The CFA is considering whether psychologists could study more about this special group's mindset and develop psychological consultation classes for referees."
When referring to crowd trouble, Yang expressed concerns about the Chinese clubs' lack of experience.
"We should learn from the European countries in dealing with hooliganism and provide fans with a positive way to show their love and passion for their teams," Yang said. "Clubs and fan organizations should work together on slogans, songs and symbols to reflect their inner feelings and bring them together."
Wang Wen, president of the Beijing Fans Club, agreed with Yang, and said fan clubs from different cities should organize more activities together to soothe tense relationships.
"Fans won't stop going to the stadiums, but the ongoing violence really makes fans restless with anxiety," Wang said.
Many recent problems around local soccer pitches have been agitated by small groups of troublemakers who don't come to see the match, but to cause trouble.
"Fans should stay away from people who come to games looking to create a stir," said Wang, "The soccer pitch is not the arena, and we should enjoy a happy game no matter if we win or lose."
Wang also recognized some young coaches' lack of experience in the Chinese Super League and said that had also caused problems.
"The CFA should set up uniform requirements (for coaches) to organizing committees in all areas and forbid any changes."
Finally, Wang said he was astonished by the mass brawl between Beijing Guo'an Talent FC and Singapore Young Lions in the SLeague last week, "These teenagers are the backups of Beijing Guo'an, and their undignified behavior on the international stage will be a huge blow to the club's image."
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