Chinese club Shandong given 2-year ban from Asian club competition after no-show
The Chinese Super League side pulled out hours before the Feb 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 US$50,000.
It also ordered Shandong to return a participation fee of US$600,000 and a performance bonus of US$200,000 to the AFC, along with compensation of US$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.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Barnama
3 hours ago
- Barnama
M'sia Fall 0-3 To Iran In AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup Qualifier
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 6 (Bernama) -- The national Under-20 (U-20) women's football squad began their AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup qualifying campaign on the wrong foot after falling 0-3 to Iran in a Group F match at the Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium today. Iran's three goals came from forward Maryam Dini in the 13th and 28th minutes, and substitute Asal Ghajarian in the dying moments of the game. 'I'm not happy with the result because I hate losing, but I'm happy with the players' performance.
New Straits Times
4 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Nunez nears Al Hilal switch as Liverpool prepare Isak bid
LIVERPOOL: Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez is reportedly closing in on a move to Saudi club Al Hilal, which could allow the Premier League champions to make a fresh bid for Newcastle's Alexander Isak. Nunez joined the Reds for an initial 75 million euros (US$87 million, £65 million) from Benfica three years ago but has failed to live up to that price tag. The Uruguayan has scored 40 goals in 143 appearances but slipped down the pecking order at Anfield under both Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot. According to transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, Al Hilal will pay an initial 53 million euros for the 26-year-old. Nunez was likely to play even less this season after Liverpool signed Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz as part of a 300 million euro spending spree that also includes full-backs Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong. However, the club could still break the British transfer record by signing Isak, with Newcastle reportedly demanding a fee of up to £150 million for the Swedish striker. The sale of Nunez would take Liverpool's income for transfer sales this window to nearly 200 million euros after the departures of Luis Diaz, Jarell Quansah, Caoimhin Kelleher, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Tyler Morton. Harvey Elliott is also attracting interest from RB Leipzig, with Liverpool wanting at least 45 million euros for the England midfielder. Nunez would become the latest big name to join Al Hilal, who shocked Manchester City to reach the quarter-finals of the recent Club World Cup. Coached by former Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi, the Saudi club's squad includes Portuguese internationals Ruben Neves and Joao Cancelo, Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly and former Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic.--AFP
New Straits Times
4 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Arteta: Arsenal ready to win after years of falling short
LONDON: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said the Gunners believe this season will be different as they aim to get over a series of near misses at winning silverware. Arteta has not won a trophy since lifting the FA Cup in his debut season in charge in 2019/20. However, he has transformed Arsenal back into serial contenders for major trophies. Arteta's men have finished second in the Premier League for the past three years and reached the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 2009 last season. The pressure is now on the Spaniard to get over the line after another major investment in new players in the transfer window. Nearly £200 million (US$266 million) has been spent on new striker Viktor Gyokeres, midfielders Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard, centre-back Cristhian Mosquera as well as winger Noni Madueke and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga. "We know what our targets are and what we want to achieve this season – there is a big belief in our ability to achieve that," Arteta said in his programme notes ahead of Wednesday's pre-season friendly against Villarreal. "We have been very, very close the last few seasons and the whole team is going to determine whether we achieve that or not. "But at the same time, we have to make sure that we don't lose sight of what we have to do on a daily basis to get to the levels that we want. "We have to set the demands that we want within this goal, because that's the most important thing – the internal demands have to always exceed any external demand. That is what we are trying to achieve every single day." Arteta added he wants his players to feel "invincible" at home thanks to a special connection with the club's fans. "We want our people to start connecting with our players straight away, to start to build momentum and to start to feel that at home we are invincible," he said. "That we play here with such passion, energy and connection with our people, that we are going to win the game."
