AFC warns Australia, China after brawl

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has warned Australian and Chinese football authorities over their players’ bad behaviour after fining them for a brawl at an under-19 women’s game this month.

“The Australian and Chinese teams, and the (China Football Association), have been given stern warnings to ensure that these offences are not repeated in future matches,” AFC said in a statement late Thursday.

The AFC also imposed fines totalling 12,000 dollars over the brawl at the AFC U-19 Women?s Championship 2009 match played in Wuhan, China, on August 3.

Australia’s Jessica Seaman was suspended for four matches and fined 3,000 dollars after “she was found guilty of violating the AFC disciplinary code,” AFC said.

Seaman was sent off for violent conduct during the match, which China won 2-1.

The Australian U-19 women?s team were fined a total of 4,000 dollars for disciplinary offences, the AFC said.

“The Australian team were found guilty of initiating a scuffle at the end of the match and also of throwing bottles at the spectators. The team head coach was also found guilty of misbehaviour during the post-match press conference,” AFC said.

The China women?s U-19 team were fined 2,000 dollars for involvement in the post-match scuffle while the China FA was fined 3,000 for failing to control spectators.

The incident was the latest blow to China’s football reputation following an incident in July when players attacked a referee in a local tournament.

One player from Tianjin city was banned for life for chasing referee He Zhibiao some 30 metres and knocking him to the ground.