Odion Ighalo’s Changchun Yatai teammate is at the center of a racial abuse controversy in the Chinese Super League, when on Saturday, they hosted Shanghai Shenhua.
Shanghai Shenhua, who also pay the wages of Nigerian Obafemi Martins, logged in the complaint, claiming Senegalese striker Demba Ba was racially abused by Changchun’s Zhang Li.
The situation, as reported, happened in the heat of the moment [inexcusable] during an altercation late in the match, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
The two players tangled in the 77th minute after Ba clashed with a Changchun player challenging for a header.
Ba exchanged words with Zhang in a running dispute and reacted furiously minutes later before the two were broken up by teammates and technical staff, h/t Dailymail.
Shenhua coach Wu Jingui told reporters that a Changchun Yatai player used racially insulting language toward Ba.
‘The Chinese Super League has players of many different skin colors. We should respect our opponents and there should be no discrimination,’ Wu said after the match. ‘I cannot calm down now. I feel great regret about the lack of respect to a player.’
Demba Ba is offended by racism wordings from Changchun Yatai player Zhang Li. CFA should take serious disciplinary actions!! #saynotoracism pic.twitter.com/xqGJ54LWrw
— Shanghai Shenhua FC (@shanghaishenhua) August 4, 2018
Shenhua has not disclosed details of the incident, but Xu Jiang, a prominent Chinese sports blogger, wrote on social media that Zhang allegedly shouted ‘You black’ repeatedly at Ba.
On the day, Nigeria international Odion Ighalo netted his 12th league goal of the season and celebrated extending his goal tally for the club to a record 27.
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