Tianjin team footballer was banned for life by the Chinese Football Association (CFA) on July 30 for leading an attack on the referee.

After a qualifier for China’s 11th National Games on July 26 Zhao Shitong became angered when his team lost in a match against Beijing and chased referee He Zhibiao for over 100 m trying to assault him, before being restrained by police.

The Disciplinary Committee of the Chinese Football Association laid penalties against nine Tianjin footballers, including Zhao, as well as an official from Tianjin Teda, the local Chinese Super League club.

The nine footballers made a public apology following the incident including Zhao, who said although he is taking full responsibility is his actions he feels the penalty is too harsh.

“I felt that I might be severely punished, but I didn’t imagine the penalty to be so severe,” he said.

Ma Chengquan, director of the Chinese Football League said the players’ behavior was unacceptable.

“Rule-breaking sportsmen in the National Games must be heavily punished,” he said.

“Otherwise it won’t be overawing enough to reinforce the importance of fairness in a sports match.” Tianjin Football Association expressed in a public statement on July 30 their full support of the penalties.