On May 4, 2024, in the 9th round of the Chinese League at Dalian InBev's home game against Guangzhou, players from both sides clashed on a large scale after the game. Four players of the Dalian InBev team committed violent acts, and the Chinese Football Association severely punished them, sentencing a total of 24 games of suspension and a fine of 440,000 yuan, and directly pointed out that Dalian InBev Club should bear the main responsibility. The post-match clash stemmed from Guangzhou goalkeeper Huo Shenping's bowing to the home team's fan stands, which was deemed to be "provoking the public in the stadium", but there is controversy over whether it constitutes a provocation, and the measure should be determined by the referee, not by the player. The article pointed out that the incident reflects the need for players to reflect on emotional control, the need for referees to improve their ability to control the field, and the need for individuals who commit violence to improve their self-cultivation.
In this game where Dalian InBev lost 0:1 to the Guangzhou team at home, the scene can be described as hot and dramatic! The two teams were already old rivals before the game, and this game was crucial, so it can be said that the smell of gunpowder has long been filled. There were several physical altercations between the two sides in the first half, and the referee had to repeatedly show yellow cards. Heading into the second half, the situation was even more out of control. In the 60th minute, Dalian InBev midfielder Embalo slammed the opponent's face with his elbow during the battle, and the referee directly showed the first red card of the game this time and expelled him from the field.
Since then, the atmosphere has become more intense, and the players on both sides have broken out from time to time, and the scene has gotten out of control for a while. After the final whistle, he completely lost the bottom line of reason. Guangzhou team goalkeeper Huo Shenping actually made a provocative bow to the home team's fan stands, which ignited the fuse of the entire stadium! Wang Xuanhong, the captain of Dalian InBev, immediately rushed forward and knocked him to the ground, and a large-scale clash broke out between the players on both sides.
When the Chinese Football Association announced the punishment results, it also made a clear determination of the responsibility for this incident. The Football Association said that the Dalian InBev team had serious dereliction of duty in performing the duties of the first person responsible for the style and discipline of the game, and the education and restraint of the players were not strict enough, and the internal management was loose, resulting in individual players losing their emotions and maliciously causing trouble.
On the Guangzhou team, there are also individual players with poor professional ethics and style, and they carried out non-sports behaviors to provoke the public after the game. Both sides bear unshirkable responsibility in this incident.
The penalty was issued and immediately sparked a heated discussion among fans and the media. Many people believe that the punishment of the Football Association this time is still too light, especially the punishment of the Dalian InBev team is obviously light.
After all, there were nearly 50,000 fans present at the scene, and the impact of the incident was so bad and the social impact was so serious that you can imagine it. Some fans bluntly said, "If it happened in the Chinese Super League, the Football Association might not be so merciful."
There are also many people who feel unfair that Guangzhou team goalkeeper Huo Shenping was suspended for 4 games and fined 40,000 yuan. They believe that Huo Shenping just bowed to the fans of the home team and did not have any provocation, and the punishment of the Football Association is really excessive and arbitrary.
"Isn't that an exaggeration of a small action by a player? Even if some fans are unhappy, it is just their subjective feelings, and it does not mean that it is a provocation! A Guangzhou fan said.
From another point of view, the Football Association's severe punishment is also sending a serious signal to the national professional league - that is, it will never tolerate any violations of rules and disciplines, and will not be soft.
This will create a more pure, civilized and orderly environment for the future professional league. It is foreseeable that under the tone of the Football Association's severe punishment this time, players and teams at all levels of the league will be more cautious about their words and deeds in the future to avoid such a conflict farce again.
So, should it be severely punished or should it be opened? Is the Football Association's punishment really reasonable? I believe that this topic will continue to arouse heated discussions in the future.
One thing is certain, and that is that the current state of Chinese football is indeed worrying. From youth to professional leagues, from players to management, problems continue to emerge.
To completely change this situation, it is far from enough to rely on the punishment of the Football Association, but also requires the joint efforts of the whole industry. Only by taking an all-round and multi-pronged approach can Chinese football truly return to its purity and regain the trust and respect of the public.
This large-scale conflict incident has pressed a "wake-up button" for Chinese football. As a mass sport, the development of football is inseparable from the support and participation of the public. Once this foundation is lost, football will be useless.
Whether it is the Football Association, clubs or players, they should learn from this incident, reflect on their own shortcomings, and be fully prepared for future reform and development. Only in this way can Chinese football finally regain its youthful vitality on the tortuous road.