Eight-game bans over AFC Champions League mass brawl

The Asian Football Confederation dished out multiple bans of up to eight games on Monday over a mass brawl between China’s Zhejiang and Buriram United of Thailand in the Champions League.

A total of seven players or members of staff from the two teams were punished, as were the clubs themselves, following the fracas at the final whistle of the game on November 29.

Punches and kicks were exchanged as the Champions League group match at Zhejiang’s Huzhou Olympic Sports Center descended into violence at the final whistle of the home side’s 3-2 win.

At least two players ended up on the floor and one grabbed an opponent in a headlock, before security staff raced on to the pitch to restore order.

Among those punished following a meeting of the AFC’s disciplinary and ethics committee were three Buriram players including Ramil Sheydayev.

The Azerbaijan international was suspended for eight AFC club matches and the club must also pay a fine of $10,000.

Four Zhejiang players or staff were suspended over the brawl, including the Brazilian Leonardo and Chinese international Yao Junsheng, who will both miss eight AFC club matches.

Zhejiang were also fined $10,000. (BSS/AFP)