Pity fans of China’s beleaguered soccer team. After years of abject failure on the international stage, the team was recently penalized to the tune of $4,500 for its dangerous play in the East Asian Championship. From Goal.com:
On Friday, Japanese delegation chief Kuniya Daini filed a formal complaint against China after their ill-tempered clash, which Japan won 1-0 on Wednesday.
Daini, the vice-president of the Japan Football Association [JFA], expressed unhappiness about the treatment his players received from the Chinese players during the match…
The EAFF, after viewing video evidence, decided to slap China with a $4,500 fine for rough play. They were penalized $1,500 for unsportsmanlike behaviour against their 3-2 defeat to South Korea and $3,000 from the Japan match.
One has to wonder if pressure from the 2008 Games isn’t taking it’s toll on the team.