China's top football regulator yesterday issued the heaviest punishment ever given to a team manager -- a year's ban as well as a fine of 10,000 yuan (US$1,300) for his behavior on the pitch.

Cheng Yaodong, manager of Xi'an-based China Super League team Chanba, last Sunday showed his dissatisfaction with the referee by interrupting his team's away match against Beijing Guoan by shouting and pushing the referee in the arena. The assistant manager Wu Bin and a player Qu Nannan were also heavily punished and the club was ordered to hand over 20,000 yuan to the China Football Association.

The management team of the Xi'an club said they were willing to accept the punishment at a press conference yesterday but they also raised objections to the conduct of the referee and planned to sue him.

The referee Niu Jinshan gave a penalty kick to Beijing Guoan in the first half after a controversial collision between Guoan and Chanba players on the line of Chanba's area. Niu at first ordered a free kick, however, he changed his mind immediately after conferring with Beijing players, who were one goal behind at that moment.

Niu's rule evidently enraged Cheng who rushed onto the pitch and began shouting followed by some strong body movements. He also blocked Guoan from kicking the ball.

Niu didn't stop Cheng immediately but let him stay on the pitch where his activities halted the game for eight minutes.

In the second half, Niu didn't allow a Chanba player to return to the pitch after he was treated for a light injury, which Chanba thought was the major reason for their finally losing the game.

Chanba staff and players again interrupted the game for another eight minutes, but couldn't save the game.

Cheng, a Shanghai native, was once a leading defender in China's national team and the Shanghai-based Super League team Shenhua FC. He has been the manager of Xi'an Chanba since last January. He was banned for three matches and fined 5,000 yuan earlier this season for threatening to leave the game with the whole team.

(Shanghai Daily May 30, 2007)