DEFENDER GIVEN ABSURD FINE

Shanghai Shenhua have dished out a heavy sanction to midfielder Qin Sheng after his red card for deliberately stamping on Axel Witsel during a Chinese Super League fixture. The Belgium international tumbled to the ground after being on the receiving end of some rough treatment from his opponent as the pair clashed in the penalty box while waiting for a corner. And Shanghai have now announced that Sheng will be fined ¥300,000 (£35,000) and have his wages docked for the rest of the season. He will also be forced to train with the reserves and the club will block any transfer request should he decide he wants to leave before his contract runs out. Shanghai Shenhua are currently fourth in the CSL table after two matches having drawn 1-1 with Tianjin Quanjian in the game that saw Sheng dismissed, with Witsel scoring the late equaliser.