Nanking massacre anniversary: fury as Chinese basketball fans scream ‘why didn’t the Japanese kill you all?’ at Nanjing players during match
- Thursday was the anniversary of one of China’s worst tragedies
- Spectators hurl abuse at players and staff from visiting club
Supporters of the home side, Shanghai Sharks, were heard to shout, “Why didn’t the Japanese kill you all?” at players and officials from Nanjing Tongxi during the Sharks’ 111-103 win over the visitors.
Chinese basketball authorities condemned the behaviour and launched an investigation promising harsh punishment on those found to be responsible.
For the second year since Chinese basketball great Yao Ming was made chairman of the CBA, the National Day of Sacrifice round of matches was preceded by a “mourning ceremony” for the victims of the Nanking massacre, which began when Japanese forces invaded the then-Chinese capital on December 13, 1937.
During the fourth quarter of the clash between Shanghai and Nanjing at Pudong Yuanshen Gymnasium, with the score deadlocked, the game became increasingly heated as players, officials and supporters from both teams clashed, before descending into a physical altercation between members of the crowd and Nanjing club staff behind the bench following the chants.