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Agence France-Presse

Chinese Super League referees are under coming under increasing fire, with state media on Friday accusing “the judges in black” of damaging the reputation of the country’s top football competition.
Former Marseille forward Romain Alessandrini was sent off on Thursday during Qingdao Huanghai’s 2-1 defeat by Hebei China Fortune, among three red cards and a penalty dished out in two matches that evening.
The latest controversial calls sparked intense discussion among fans and media about the quality of officiating in the CSL, which in 2017 introduced foreign referees for some matches to improve standards.
Mark Clattenburg, the former Premier League referee, and Serbian Milorad Mazic were drafted in last year.

After being tackled by defender, Qingdao Huanghai's Romain Alessandrini made retaliation and was shown a straight red card. Qingdao Huanghai were beaten by Hebei CFFC 2:1. The French player spat (intentional or not?) before leaving the pitch. Possibly a rigorous penalty awaits. pic.twitter.com/GUjeXXkQaH
— Titan Sports Plus (@titan_plus) August 27, 2020

However, because of coronavirus travel restrictions, matches this season are all officiated by Chinese referees.
After seven rounds of games, four of the 16 clubs – including Rafael Benitez’s Dalian Pro – have complained to the Chinese FA about decisions against them, said Sohu Sports. “Referees frequently steal the spotlight,” Sohu said.

There has also been consternation about the inconsistent use of the video assistant referee and the time it has often taken to reach a conclusion after consulting VAR.
“Controversies and penalties by local referees continue to damage the reputation of the league,” state-run Shanghai Observer said in a headline.
“The Chinese Super League must call back foreign referees to enforce key games. Once again, the judge in black inexplicably grabs our attention,” it added, referring to Thursday’s matches.

Frenchman Alessandrini, who has been one of the stars of the coronavirus-delayed campaign, could face further punishment after spitting following his sending off.
He got his marching orders in the 78th minute for kicking out at Pan Ximing after the Hebei defender scythed him down from behind. Pan escaped without being booked by referee Zhang Lei.
Zhang instead booked Hebei’s Zhang Chengdong, who was later sent off for a second yellow card which also left many scratching their heads.

But Friday’s Oriental Sports Daily said Chinese fans frequently make referees the scapegoat.
“Thousands of mistakes are always the fault of the referee,” it said in a column. “There is a saying in Brazil that everyone is a head coach. In the current Super League in China, everyone is a referee.”
CSL coaches and players face stiff bans if they talk about match officials or confront them, and journalists are not allowed to ask questions about referees in press conferences.
Then Shanghai SIPG coach Andre Villas-Boas was hit with an eight-game touchline ban in 2017 after “insulting” a referee.


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Chinese Super League

Referees ‘damaging reputation’ of Chinese football, state media says in rare tirade against ‘the judges in black’

Romain Alessandrini (second left), of Qingdao Huanghai, is sent off by referee Zhang Lei during their Chinese Super League clash against Qingdao Huanghai. Photo: Xinhua

(200825) -- DALIAN, Aug. 25, 2020 (Xinhua) -- Referee Fu Ming (R, front) talks to Fabio Cannavaro, head coach of Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao during the 7th round match between Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao and Dalian FC at the postponed 2020 season Chinese Football Association Super League (CSL) Dalian Division in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, July 25, 2020. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

(200819) -- DALIAN, Aug. 19, 2020 (Xinhua) -- Referee Lin Jun views the instant replay and awards Shandong Luneng a penalty during the 6th round match between Shandong Luneng and Henan Jianye at the postponed 2020 season Chinese Football Association Super League (CSL) Dalian Division in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Aug. 19, 2020. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

(200826) -- DALIAN, Aug. 26, 2020 (Xinhua) -- Referee Wang Jing (L) gives Chow Tim (R) of Henan Jianye a yellow card during the 7th round match between Shanghai Greenland Shenhua and Henan Jianye at the postponed 2020 season Chinese Football Association Super League (CSL) Dalian Division in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Aug. 26, 2020. (Xinhua/Long Lei)

Chinese Super League 2020 kicks off new format. Will it bring new champions?

Beijing Guoan’s Nico Yennaris, also known as Li Ke, celebrates with teammate Renato Augusto after scoring in last season’s Chinese Super League. Photo: AFP

(FILES) This file picture taken on April 4, 2018 shows Shanghai SIPG forward Hulk reacting during the AFC Asian Champions League group match between Shanghai SIPG and Kawasaki Frontale in Shanghai. - The departure of goal machine Wu Lei puts extra pressure on the broad shoulders of Brazilian striker Hulk as Shanghai SIPG kick off their Chinese Super League title defence on March 1, 2019. (Photo by JOHANNES EISELE / AFP)

(FILES) This file photo taken on July 18, 2018 shows Guangzhou Evergrande's Anderson Talisca reacting during their 2018 Chinese Football Association Super League football match against Guizhou Hengfeng in Guangzhou in China's southern Guangdong province. - Anderson Talisca is ripping it up in the Chinese Super League (CSL), plundering 11 goals in eight games since joining Guangzhou Evergrande to show why he was on the radar of Jose Mourinho. (Photo by STR / AFP) / China OUT / TO GO WITH Fbl-Asia-CHN-Guangzhou-Talisca-BRA,FOCUS by Peter Stebbings

Fans return to Chinese Super League at Beijing Guoan-Shanghai SIPG game in Suzhou

Supporters of Shanghai SIPG cheer for the team during the sixth round match against Beijing Guoan in Suzhou. Photos: Xinhua

(200822) -- SUZHOU, Aug. 22, 2020 (Xinhua) -- Players of Shanghai SIPG greet audience after winning the sixth round match between Beijing Guoan and Shanghai SIPG at the postponed 2020 season Chinese Football Association Super League (CSL) Suzhou Division in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, Aug. 22, 2020. (Xinhua/Li Bo)

(200822) -- SUZHOU, Aug. 22, 2020 (Xinhua) -- Supporters of Shanghai SIPG cheer for the team during the sixth round match between Beijing Guoan and Shanghai SIPG at the postponed 2020 season Chinese Football Association Super League (CSL) Suzhou Division in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, Aug. 22, 2020. (Xinhua/Li Bo)

(200822) -- SUZHOU, Aug. 22, 2020 (Xinhua) -- Oscar of Shanghai SIPG celebrates after scoring during the sixth round match between Beijing Guoan and Shanghai SIPG at the postponed 2020 season Chinese Football Association Super League (CSL) Suzhou Division in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, Aug. 22, 2020. (Xinhua/Li Bo)

Sport

China


The sending off of Qingdao Huanghai’s Romain Alessandrini against Hebei China Fortune prompted a backlash against the standard of refereeing
State-run ‘Shanghai Observer’ calls for the return of overseas referees, who have been unable to take part this season because of Covid-19 restrictions



The sending off of Qingdao Huanghai’s Romain Alessandrini prompted a backlash with the ‘Shanghai Observer’ calling for the return of overseas referees.
