Chinese Football Association Photo: VCG

The Chinese Football Association (CFA) lately issued four disciplinary decisions against players for misconduct, targeting violent and fraudulent behavior, a move that highlights the association's commitment to cleaning up the sport and promoting fair play.

Li Ke, a player from Chines Super League (CSL) club Beijing Guoan, was suspended for four matches and fined 40,000 yuan ($5,700) for violent conduct during a CSL match on August 11.

"Violent conduct only resulted in a four-match ban, that seems a little bit light," many netizens commented on social media. 

This sentiment reflects growing public demand for harsher penalties and a higher standard of conduct within the sport. 

CSL club Wuhan Three Towns player Pedro Henrique of Brazil was suspended for three matches and fined 30,000 yuan for stomping on an ­opponent during the CSL match against ­Changchun Yatai on August 10. 

Yatai player Zou Yi was also ­suspended for three matches and fined 30,000 yuan for the violent conduct.

The CFA also penalized former Zhejiang FC player Su Zeming who was born in 2007 for falsifying his residency status, banning him from participating in matches for the next two months.

Regardless of the debate over the severity of these sanctions, the CFA's efforts to clean up soccer and promote ethical conduct are commendable. 

Looking back at the cases in recent years, the CFA has been increasingly consistent and rigorous in its enforcement of disciplinary actions. 

These cases illustrate the CFA's ongoing efforts to establish a rule-based and morally guided management system to ensure the healthy development of Chinese soccer.