China's prodigal son hopes to make amends

Li Weifeng has told the soccer family that spurned him three years ago that he has turned a new leaf. Dubbed 'Qiu Ba' (soccer bully) for his violent play, China's disgraced former national captain declared during a public act of repentance this week that he was finally ready to make good.

'A few years ago, like many young people, I had no idea what I was really searching for,' said the former angry-boy-lost, now a 32-year-old veteran. 'I did not take my career and life very seriously and I lost something during that time. I think it was a period of development. You mature by learning from your mistakes.'

By mistakes he means the long list of footballing felonies that forced him into exile in January 2009.

Stripped of his captaincy and thrown out of the national squad for violent conduct in 2008, Li, a hero of the 2002 World Cup, was banned for eight matches for a trademark violent tackle when playing for his last Chinese club, Wuhan Guanggu.

When Wuhan pleaded with the Chinese Football Association (CFA) for a reprieve, officials lobbed the book at the club and their feral star. Government sports chiefs were still fuming and embarrassed by Li's choking of a Japanese player in the East Asian Championship in 2008.

Wuhan fans took to the streets in protest against the CFA and in support of their talisman. Li defiantly said he would refuse to serve the ban. As is the norm in Chinese soccer, a face-off followed, and acrimony and chaos prevailed.