China international Wei faces sack over 'malicious' foul

Imaginechina

China international Wei Shihao has been suspended for a month and could be sacked by his club Guangzhou Evergrande for a "malicious" foul in the loss to Uzbekistan, reports said on Tuesday.

The 23-year-old winger was widely condemned by Chinese media and fans for his challenge on midfielder Otabek Shukurov in the first half of the home side's 0-1 defeat in the China Cup on Monday.

Wei was shown a yellow card after he raked his studs down the right calf of Shukurov, who fell rolling his ankle.

Shukurov, who was unable to continue and later required hospital treatment, will be out for at least two months.

Wei, who has 10 caps for China and spent the early part of his career in Portugal, was also criticized for arguing with the referee following the incident.

Evergrande, coached by Italian legend Fabio Cannavaro — who is also in charge of the national team — took swift action.

Wei must carry out "profound self-reflection", said an Evergrande statement widely carried in Chinese media which said he was immediately suspended.

"The club will review his self-reflection and self-criticism and then decide whether to expel him," the seven-time Chinese Super League champion said.

It caps a miserable beginning to Cannavaro's life as coach of China and it is unclear whether the former Juventus and Real Madrid star will stay on in the post.

In his first game in charge the hosts were lucky not to lose by more than one goal in a 0-1 China Cup loss to Thailand on Thursday.

And the team failed to muster a shot on goal in the defeat to Uzbekistan.