Photo: Screenshot from website

  A disciplinary decision regarding Taiantiankang Football Club player Yao Daogang has been announced. Yao has been suspended for 12 months and fined RMB100,000 (USD14,000) for physically and verbally abusing the referee.

Recently, during a Chinese Football Association Division Two League match between Shandong Taishan F.C.B and Taiantiankang, Yao was dissatisfied with the referee's decision in the 92nd minute of the game. He shoved and verbally abused the referee who issued a red card and sent him off. Yao then struck the referee in the face. The Chinese Football Association categorized this as violent behavior, deserving of a severe penalty.

Afterwards, Taiantiankang issued an apology and implemented its own suspension punishment for Yao. The player conducted a self-examination within the team and expressed regret for his actions, although he did not publicly apologize.

Yao Daogang is the twin brother of Yao Wei, a player for the women's national team. Despite having a promising start, serving as the captain of the national youth team and gaining overseas experience, he failed to realize his potential and is now facing a one-year suspension.