Chinese club Shandong given 2-year ban from Asian club competition after no-show
Chinese club Shandong Taishan has been banned from Asian club competition for two years for its no-show against South Korean side Ulsan HD in the Asian Champions League (ACL) Elite in February.
The Chinese Super League side pulled out hours before the February 19 match, blaming "serious physical discomfort" of players and saying they were unable to form a team.
The Asian Football Confederation's (AFC) Disciplinary and Ethics Commission said Shandong would not be able to play in the AFC's club competitions up to and including the 2026/27 season editions, and fined the club $50,000.
It also ordered Shandong to return a participation fee of $600,000 and a performance bonus of $200,000 to the AFC along with compensation of $40,000 to Ulsan "in respect of damages and losses claimed" by the South Korean club.
Shandong's pull-out came days after the club said it had banned supporters for "inappropriate behaviour" during a home ACL match against South Korean team Gwangju after fans in the crowd displayed images of South Korea's last military dictator Chun Doo-hwan.
Hundreds of people are estimated to have died or gone missing when the South Korean government violently put down the Gwangju uprising by pro-democracy protesters in May 1980, when Chun was the de facto leader of the country after leading a military coup. REUTERS
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Straits Times
Son Heung-min joins Los Angeles FC in record MLS deal
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox LOS ANGELES - South Korean forward Son Heung-min has joined Los Angeles FC in a record-breaking Major League Soccer transfer, ending a decade-long stint at Tottenham Hotspur, both clubs announced on Aug 6. Financial details of the transfer were not disclosed by either club, but the Athletic reported LAFC paid a fee in the region of US$26.5 million (S$34 million) for the 33-year-old. Son, who joined Tottenham from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015, led the north London club to their first trophy in 17 years with a 1-0 win over Manchester United in the Europa League final in May. 'You welcomed me to North London, you watched me grow,' Son said, in a farewell video message. 'I never imagined captaining this team, but I always dreamed I would win something for you. We won the Europa League and you all deserve it... Thank you for these years.' The former Spurs captain made 454 appearances for the team and scored 173 goals, winning the Premier League Golden Boot in the 2021-22 season. Son, capped 134 times by South Korea, joins LAFC after an emotional farewell to Spurs during a friendly against Newcastle United at Seoul World Cup Stadium. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore MRT track issue causes 5-hour delay; Jeffrey Siow says 'we can and will do better' Singapore ST Explains: What is a track point fault and why does it cause lengthy train disruptions? Singapore Three people taken to hospital after fire in Punggol executive condominium Singapore Elderly man found dead in SingPost Centre stairwell could have been in confused state: Coroner Singapore 81 primary schools to hold ballot for Phase 2C of Primary 1 registration Singapore S'pore and Indonesia have discussed jointly developing military training facilities: Chan Chun Sing Singapore Two workers died after being hit by flying gas cylinders in separate incidents in 2025 Sport Young Lions and distance runner Soh Rui Yong left out of SEA Games contingent 'Sonny has given so much to this club, both on and off the pitch, and for that we are forever grateful,' Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy said in a club statement. 'We wish him all the best for the future, and he will always be welcome back as a beloved and cherished member of our Spurs family.' REUTERS
Straits Times
5 hours ago
- Straits Times
Son joins LAFC in MLS record deal
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Pre-Season Friendly - Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur - Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul, South Korea - August 3, 2025 Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-Min applauds fans after playing his last game for the club REUTERS/Kim Soo-Hyeon/File Photo LOS ANGELES - South Korean forward Son Heung-min has joined Los Angeles FC in a record-breaking Major League Soccer transfer, ending a decade-long stint at Tottenham Hotspur, both clubs announced on Wednesday. Financial details of the transfer were not disclosed by either club but the Athletic reported LAFC paid a fee in the region of $26.5 million for the 33-year-old. Son, who joined Tottenham from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015, led the north London club to their first trophy in 17 years with a 1-0 win over Manchester United in the Europa League final in May. The former Spurs captain made 454 appearances for the team and scored 173 goals, winning the Premier League Golden Boot in the 2021-22 season. Son, capped 134 times by South Korea, joins LAFC after an emotional farewell to Spurs during a friendly against Newcastle United at Seoul World Cup Stadium. REUTERS
Straits Times
7 hours ago
- Straits Times
German Mueller signs season-long deal with Vancouver Whitecaps
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Former Germany and Bayern Munich forward Thomas Mueller has signed a season-long deal with Major League Soccer (MLS) side Vancouver Whitecaps, the Canadian club said on Wednesday Mueller, who turns 36 next month, decided to leave Bayern at the end of last season after 25 years with the German champions, helping them win 13 Bundesliga titles and two Champions League trophies. "I'm looking forward to coming to Vancouver to help this team win a championship," Mueller said in a statement. "I've heard great things about the city, but first and foremost I'm coming to win." Mueller made 131 appearances for Germany, scoring 45 goals, and was instrumental in their 2014 World Cup triumph. REUTERS
