Chinese football storm, as ‘irrational’ manager Duan Xin slaps referee before passing out
- Liaoning Shenyang City official Duan strikes referee Chen Hao in rage against penalty appeal rejection
- Club apologises for ‘irrational’ response and manager says he’ll accept any punishment football bosses dish out
A Chinese football manager admitted “I did wrong” after slapping a referee in a fit of pique - before fainting - as his team slumped to a 4-0 defeat on Sunday.
Duan Xin, team leader of Liaoning Shenyang City, was treated in hospital after collapsing pitchside, before returning to his team’s hotel and apologising to referee Chen Hao.
The bizarre episode unfolded in the opening half of Liaoning’s Chinese second-tier match at high-flying Nanjin City.
Increasingly incensed by Chen’s officiating, notably the rejection of a penalty appeal on the cusp of half-time, Duan raged on the touchline.
Chen booked one of Duan’s equally vexed assistants, sending the team leader into apoplexy.
He administered an open-handed slap to the face of the referee, earning an immediate red card from an unflustered Chen. Both sets of players duly engaged in a bout of pushing and shoving, while Duan was ushered from the scene.