Fan Zhiyi to turn out for Kitchee despite club ban
Former China international Fan Zhiyi, due to arrive in Hong Kong on Thursday to play for Kitchee in Saturday's Grand Promenade Cup clash against Juventus, has been suspended by his club in Shanghai.
China Super League (CSL) side Zhong Bang Shanghai said yesterday Fan and two teammates, Shen Si and Liu Quande, had been penalised for breaching the club's rule on commercial activities.
The trio will be suspended from training and competition for an indefinite period.
It was reported that a total of eight Zhong Bang players, including the trio, had taken part in the promotional activities of a commercial sponsor without getting prior approval from the club. Kitchee chief executive Ken Ng said last night that he had contacted Fan regarding the incident and, as far as he understood, Fan's appearance would not be affected.
'He has been suspended for training and competition by his club, but Fan told me that he can still play for us in Hong Kong. Of course, we will monitor the incident closely,' said Ng.
Ng also confirmed that Italian star Paolo Di Canio would be a guest player for Kitchee.
The experienced striker plays for Italian Serie A side Lazio, having spent several seasons in the English Premiership. Di Canio is said to be looking for an opportunity to play in Asia as his playing career winds down. Ng said the presence of Di Canio and Fan would definitely boost the team.
'Juventus are the reigning Italian champions and it will be difficult for us to beat them. What we are trying to do is close the gap between the two, forcing the visitors to play at their best so that Hong Kong fans can have a real taste of Italian football,' he said.
Kitchee have also secured the services of local top marksman Clodoaldo De Oliveira and Gerard Ambassa of neighbouring club Happy Valley to strengthen the squad. Brazilian De Oliveira has scored 27 goals for Valley in the four major competitions this season.
Fan had a short span with local side Rangers as player-coach before moving back to Shanghai last year to help Zhong Bang win promotion to the CSL.