Nigerian international Obafemi martins was again missing in the line up as Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua were held to 1-1 draw by visiting Tianjin Quanjian Saturday. The Nigerian is yet to get playing time for the side in the new season. The tie was however a highly temperamental one as Martins teammate Qin Sheng was severely punished by Shanghai Shenhua after a nasty, deliberate stamp on Axel Witsel.
The midfielder was not only sent off but also fined £35,000, relegated to Shanghai’s reserve team and could yet see his wages reduced by furious club president Wu Xiaohui.
A Shenhua statement read: ‘In the 24th minute, Greenland Shenhua player Qin Sheng deliberately stamped on the foot of his opponent in the box, and was shown a red card by the referee. His behavior was against sportsmanship.
‘The club will see his attitude and follow-up performances, and decide whether to cut his annual salary.
‘When purchasing competitive achievements, the club will not loosen its management over players. We will take this as a lesson and avoid incidents like this.’
Qin was ordered to make a public apology following his assault on the Belgium international – who is one of the star attractions in the expanding Chinese Super League and commands wages of £16million per season, or roughly £300,000 each week.
Back in 2013, playing in a CFA Cup final for Guangzhou Evergrande, he kicked Guizhou Renhe’s striker Zlatan Muslimovic in the face causing a nasal fracture and forcing his opponent to return to Bosnia – his home country – for surgery.
The same year, while on international duty for Chgina, Qin was sent off 13 minutes into a FRIENDLY against Holland for an outrageous tackle on Jonathan de Guzman.
He wrote on one of his social media accounts: ‘Exciting match but stupid foul.
‘My personal behaviour affected the whole team. I want to apologise to the fans, club officials and coaches, as well as my pals fighting together on the pitch.
‘As a professional player, I should not take such ‘revenge’ but respect the referee’s decision.’
President Wu was less dismissive of the matter, however, saying: ‘The extremely irrational behaviour of Qin Sheng has severely tarnished the image of this club, the football of Shanghai and even Chinese football.