Beijing (AFP)
French basketball player Guerschon Yabusele (formerly Boston Celtics) was fined 10,000 yuan (1,290 euros) by the Chinese federation for failing to watch the national flag before a league match.
As in the United States, sporting events are usually preceded by the broadcast of the national anthem. In China, players are expected during this time to fix the red banner to the five stars as a sign of respect.
But Guerschon Yabusele, who has also played in France in Roanne and Rouen, was filmed on Friday by television cameras bowing their heads in front of the flag before a match of his team of Nanjing Monkey Kings.
The Chinese Basketball Federation (CBA) issued the following day a statement, addressing in addition to the fine a "serious warning" to the French player for not "not made the greeting of the look" regulatory.
On the Chinese social network Weibo, equivalent to Twitter, Internet users were divided on the penalty.
"He is happy to take money from China, but does not respect it," indignant one user.
"This player must be expelled immediately, and his club be disqualified from the championship!", Thought another.
Many Internet users, however, were surprised by the very severe treatment reserved for Guerschon Yabusele.
"It's anything, he's not Chinese yet, and he's got up well and made no insulting gestures." He lowers his head. She's 50 years late ... "
Neither Nanjing Monkey Kings nor the French player made any public statement about this incident, which is not a first in China vis-à-vis a foreign sportsman.
In 2018, the Chinese football federation had suspended former Brazilian international Diego Tardelli, who played in Shandong Luneng (1st division), for having looked down and put his hand on his face during the broadcast of the anthem.
© 2019 AFP