The Chinese Super League (CSL) is back with controversial refereeing decisions! On August 3, Shanghai Harbour Team started a fierce battle with Tianjin Jinmen Tigers at home in the 20th round of the tournament. In the 21st minute of the match, Zhang Linpeng was shown a yellow card for a shoveling action that raised concerns. Slow-motion analysis showed that Zhang Linpeng's shoveling action directly caused an ankle injury to the opposing player tomorrow and did not touch the ball, which, according to the rules, should be regarded as a red card penalty.
The game was a tightly contested affair, with the Zim Tigers scoring away from home and Beric scoring a goal. Harbour's Lui Wenjun quickly equalized the score. In the 21st minute, Tsimshatsui Tigers launched a fine match on the right side, and tomorrow finished the breakthrough. At that moment, Zhang Linlian shoveled the ball from the side and back, knocking down tomorrow. The referee Du Jianxin showed Zhang Linlian a yellow card.
Slow-motion replay revealed that Zhang Linmiao's shoveling action was extremely dangerous, directly into tomorrow's ankle, causing him to fall to the ground in pain. Tomorrow was unable to continue the game and was replaced by Qian Yumiao. Objectively speaking, Zhang Linmiao's shoveling behavior is extremely dangerous, he did not touch the ball, but directly shoveled the opponent down. If the referee had shown a red card, such an action would not have been controversial.
Then, Du Jianxin showed a yellow card while video referee Huang Yi did not give any hint. Zhang Lin Yun escaped the red card, which seems to be a good news for Harbour.
