Paulinho under fire in China over ads with porn star

Brazilian international Paulinho was chastised on Saturday by the Chinese Football Association (CFA) after promoting a betting company with a porn star – two sectors banned in China.

In the photographs online that have been an embarrassment for his club, Guangzhou Evergrande, Paulinho, smiling and clutching a wad of cash, is shown standing next to a woman in a white bikini top and shorts.

According to the Chinese media, the woman with the former Tottenham player is Tsukasa Aoi, a Japanese adult film star.

The CFA has condemned the “illegal activities” and called for the Brazilian to “respect the rules” in a statement on its website.

Gambling and casinos are illegal in mainland China, as is the sale of pornographic films.

“As a professional player and role model to young players and the public, he needs to exercise self-discipline and be careful about his image and be a positive example,” the association said.