Post by beatie07 on Feb 8, 2007 22:33:24 GMT -5
The manager of the Chinese Olympic team apologized Thursday for the behavior of his players after an exhibition game brawl with an English team on Wednesday that left one Chinese player unconscious.
The match ended 15 minutes early, with Queens Park Rangers leading China's under-23 team 2-1, after players from both teams fought on the field.
"The incident that happened at QPR training ground has hurt the image of the Chinese Olympic team," Li Xiaoguang said. "As the team manager, I would like, on behalf of the team, to make an official apology to all fans supporting our team.
"Whatever the reasons for the incident, as the team manager, I will take the responsibility. Although the participants in this incident were the players, I will take all the blame."
QPR condemned the violence and said it would hold an internal inquiry into the brawl.
"The club abhors violence of any sort and does not condone the actions taken by anyone involved," the team said in a statement.
The Beijing sports daily Titan reported that Chinese player Zheng Tao was knocked unconscious in the brawl and may have a broken jaw. He was taken to the hospital.
Chinese striker Gao Lin, who was involved in the initial incident that sparked the fight, is being sent back to China, Titan said.
Footage of the fight aired Thursday by Hong Kong's Cable TV showed Gao throwing downward punches after being picked up by a Rangers player. Both players fell to the ground, then others joined the fight.
Earlier in the week, Chinese players said they were unhappy with the practice facilities provided to them by Chelsea at its training ground just outside London. Players said the playing field was in poor condition, a claim that Chelsea officials later disputed.
In a practice game against Chelsea's reserve team earlier this week, Chinese player Dai Lin was awarded a red card and sent off in a match that also featured pushing and shoving.
"After the match with Chelsea reserve team, we have noticed some of the young players cannot control themselves well. The coaching team even held a special meeting on it," Li said. "Even before the match against QPR, the coaching staff again emphasized the discipline with all the starting 11 players."
The match ended 15 minutes early, with Queens Park Rangers leading China's under-23 team 2-1, after players from both teams fought on the field.
"The incident that happened at QPR training ground has hurt the image of the Chinese Olympic team," Li Xiaoguang said. "As the team manager, I would like, on behalf of the team, to make an official apology to all fans supporting our team.
"Whatever the reasons for the incident, as the team manager, I will take the responsibility. Although the participants in this incident were the players, I will take all the blame."
QPR condemned the violence and said it would hold an internal inquiry into the brawl.
"The club abhors violence of any sort and does not condone the actions taken by anyone involved," the team said in a statement.
The Beijing sports daily Titan reported that Chinese player Zheng Tao was knocked unconscious in the brawl and may have a broken jaw. He was taken to the hospital.
Chinese striker Gao Lin, who was involved in the initial incident that sparked the fight, is being sent back to China, Titan said.
Footage of the fight aired Thursday by Hong Kong's Cable TV showed Gao throwing downward punches after being picked up by a Rangers player. Both players fell to the ground, then others joined the fight.
Earlier in the week, Chinese players said they were unhappy with the practice facilities provided to them by Chelsea at its training ground just outside London. Players said the playing field was in poor condition, a claim that Chelsea officials later disputed.
In a practice game against Chelsea's reserve team earlier this week, Chinese player Dai Lin was awarded a red card and sent off in a match that also featured pushing and shoving.
"After the match with Chelsea reserve team, we have noticed some of the young players cannot control themselves well. The coaching team even held a special meeting on it," Li said. "Even before the match against QPR, the coaching staff again emphasized the discipline with all the starting 11 players."
