Wang Shouting's handball turmoil made waves again
In Chinese football, controversial decisions often spark heated discussions among fans and the media. Recently, Adrian, a foreign aid who once played in the Chinese Super League, broke the news that he had participated in manipulated games back then, one of which was Wang Shouting's handball delivery on behalf of Changchun Yatai against Beijing Guoan in 2018. This undoubtedly pushed Wang Shouting to the forefront of public opinion again.
Wang Shouting did not ignore this accusation, but took the initiative to explain the situation to the media. He said that he only reached out to block the ball out of instinct, and did not intentionally touch the ball or deliberately give away points. In the final moments of that match, he wanted to fight for the top but it was too late, Augusto's header had already flown to his face, and he only reflexively covered it with his hand. Although the handball extended the defensive range, it was not a deliberate foul.
Wang's explanation did not fully convince the outside world. Some people even made slow-motion GIFs, believing that he reached for the ball on his own initiative. Adrian himself was questioned for a similar handball delivery during his time in the Chinese Super League, which reflects on another side whether it is too arbitrary to determine that a handball decision is "match-fixing".
Looking back at that controversial decision
To better understand this incident, let's take a look back at the key match between Changchun Yatai and Beijing Guoan in the 29th round of the Chinese Super League on October 28, 2018.
The match reached the final stage, and the two sides played to a 1:1 draw. In the 88th minute, Beijing Guoan got a free kick opportunity on the left side of the front. Augusto picked the ball into the box and Wang Shouting tried to clear it with a header, but the ball eventually hit his arm. The referee immediately blew for a handball foul and awarded a penalty to Beijing Guoan. Bakambulo hit to help Guoan overtake the score 2:1.
The decision was undoubtedly the biggest focus of the game. The on-site commentator questioned at the time: "This handball is controversial, Wang Shouting's arm is naturally placed, and the ball hits his arm, not that he deliberately touches the ball." ＂
In the end, the referee team insisted on their decision. After the game, Wang Shouting did not object to this. It wasn't until Adrian's revelations recently that the handball turmoil was once again pushed to the forefront of public opinion.
The two points of view are at odds with each other
Regarding Wang Shouting's handball, two completely different voices appeared in the field of public opinion.
One view is that Wang Shouting's handball action does have a certain subjective and intentional component. They believe that even if Augusto's header flew towards Wang's face, as a professional, he would be more than capable of dodging sideways or blocking the ball with other parts instead of stretching his arms to touch the ball.
Those who hold this view also took out a slow-motion replay, pointing out that at the moment when Wang Shouting blocked the ball, his arms were straight, and his palms were also open towards the goal, which was obviously not a normal defensive posture. They believe that the reason why Wang Shouting made such a move is likely to be intentional to touch the ball for some reason.
Another view insists that Wang's handball is just a knee-jerk reaction to self-preservation, and there is no intentional component. They pointed out that at that height and angle, Augusto's header did fly towards Wang Shouting's face, and as a normal reflex of a human being, he reached out to block it. Moreover, the whole action takes place between the electric light and flint, and there can be no subjective intention at all.
Those who hold this view also analyzed that even if Wang Shouting's handball movements looked a little unnatural, it was because he was in a very passive position at the time and could not adjust his body to make better blocking movements. So he can only subconsciously reach out to block it, this is human nature, and it is difficult to say that there is any deliberate ingredient in it.
Is Adrian's revelations credible?
Regardless of whether this view is correct or not, Adrian's revelation that "Wang Shouting's handball is match-fixing" has become a question worth pondering.
As a foreign player, Adrian has indeed seen a lot of chaos in the Chinese Super League. He has publicly stated that he has played in at least six rigged matches in his career. He did not specify the exact timing of the six matches and who will be fighting them.
In this regard, some fans and media people believe that Adrian's revelations lack specific evidence support and are difficult to convince. He may have been motivated by some motive to hype up and personally attack the Chinese football community.
Others believe that Adrian, as an eyewitness, should still have some credibility in his revelations. As a professional footballer, he should know best which games are rigged. Moreover, his public testimony against Wang Shouting handball is undoubtedly a great slander, and he will not do it if he is not sure.
It is worth noting that Adrian himself was questioned during his time in the Chinese Super League for a similar handball delivery. In 2015, in a match against Shandong Luneng, Adrian hit the ball in the arm in the penalty area, and the referee awarded Shandong Luneng a penalty.
At the time, Adrian expressed strong dissatisfaction with the decision. He considers his handball movements to be completely unconscious and natural, with no intentional component at all. It can be seen whether it is too arbitrary and unfair to conclude a suspicious handball decision alone.
The truth has yet to be verified
Regarding the various controversies over Wang Shouting's handball, it seems that it is difficult to reach a conclusion at present.
Supporters of Wang Shouting believe that he only reached out to block the ball out of an instinctive reaction of self-preservation, and there was no intentional element. Those who question him believe that as a professional player, he is fully capable of making better blocking moves, so there is a certain subjective intention in his handball movements.
As for Adrian's revelations, their credibility is also controversial due to the lack of concrete evidence to support them. It would be too arbitrary to assert that a dubious handball decision was "match-fixing".
The handball scandal has at least once again triggered a reflection on the Chinese football environment. Some people believe that the chaos of bribery and manipulation in Chinese football really needs to be rectified, otherwise it will be difficult to truly achieve the rapid development of football.
More evidence is needed to verify the truth about Wang Shouting's handball. The reflection on the overall environment of Chinese football may be the greatest significance of this incident. We hope that the truth will be revealed to the world, and Chinese football will be able to start anew and embark on the road of healthy development after sweeping away the shortcomings.