Shanghai Shenhua teen Zhou Junchen gets 12-month ban after restaurant visit as Chinese football eats itself
Number of incidents on national team duty see officials throw the book at teenager, but social media users argue the punishment does not fit the crime
Zhou, 18, has been declared ineligible for the national team and stopped from playing in any CFA competitions for 12 months after a list of charges.
These included a “negative attitude, sloppy behaviour, ignoring the coach and leaving camp for an unscheduled dinner with teammates”.
There has been no news on the punishment for the other players who went to the restaurant.
Reaction on Chinese social media has been mixed with some users pointing out that while he might deserve a ban from representing China, it is unforgivable for officials to stop him playing club football.
Some have called for a player union, citing that the Chinese FA is too powerful.