体坛英语新闻：Shoe-throwing incident put Chinese public into debate

BEIJING, July 24 (Xinhua) -- It is a rare case that a player who clashed with soccer fans earned a great deal of compassion from the public.

Although the Chinese Football Association has yet to publish its decision, reports Friday said the association gave a five-match ban on Guangzhou Evergrande striker Gao Lin for his controversial celebration and later a brawl with fans during Evergrande's 3-1 win over Liaoning on July 18.

He was also fined 40,000 yuan (6,440 U.S. dollars).

The China international striker scored twice and celebrated with face-slapping gestures in the away game, which infuriated the already hostile Liaoning fans who booed and flung curses at him throughout the match.

After the match, several fans kept throwing obscenities involving Gao's family at the player and Gao threw back his boots as retaliation.

Gao could have become the target to be blamed in usual scenario but this time the incident led to a public debate -- whether the fans should be punished for their improper action too.

Evergrande head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari stood firmly behind his player.

"We all saw how he was treated, everyone in the locker room saw that. What he did was just reacting to the insults," said the World Cup winning coach. "It is not right to punish him because he resisted when other people offended him."

Famous soccer commentator Huang Jianxiang criticized the provocative fans, equaling their behavior as that of a soccer hooligan.

"A hooligan is a hooligan, please don't pretend to be a soccer fan," he said.

Even Liaoning captain Zhao Junzhe lent his support.

"It was not right to attack players' family. I could have done the same if it happened to me. I hope everyone can cool down and pump some positive energy into Chinese soccer," he said.

Despite public opinion leaning toward Gao, some considered CFA's decision well justified.

"Gao indeed violated CFA rules, with his clash with fans, with his improper celebration, so there is nothing wrong to ban him," said Xu Shaolian, sports channel director of QQ.com.

"Professional players need to abide by the rules and the CFA did the right thing," he added.