[Embarrassment Abroad: Player Ye Chen Strikes Shinji Okazaki with a Football!]
[Pre-Match Clash Between Stuttgart and Dortmund: Ye Chen's Conduct Questioned!]
[Is This the Quality of Chinese Players? Video of Ye Chen Attacking Shinji Okazaki Leaked!]
[Frustrated Over Not Starting? Ye Chen Allegedly Takes Out His Anger on Shinji Okazaki!]
[Video of Ye Chen Kicking Opponent Leaked: Please Come Home, Don't Embarrass Us Abroad!]
In an instant, countless headlines exploded across the internet.
At first, people thought it was just clickbait. But once they watched the video, silence fell...
Some netizens were quickly riled upâespecially those unfamiliar with Ye Chen, assuming he was just like the national team players they often criticized.
"Can't play football well, but sure can kick people accurately!"
"Come back already, stop embarrassing us abroad!"
"This is a disgrace to Chinese football!"
"How can the Football Association allow such players to ruin our national image?"
"Chinese football is in decline because of players like thisâbetter at fighting than playing!"
"Ban him from football altogether!"
"Do you even know how bans work? The FA can't impose lifetime bans, only suspensions!"
"Ye Chen isn't afraid of the FA. He's already been suspended for three years!"
"Just as the FA saidâpoor character! He shouldn't come back and ruin our teams."
Netizens erupted, unleashing a barrage of criticism toward Ye Chen.
However, a group of Ye Chen's fans stood by him, refusing to believe he instigated the conflict. They pushed back, but the opposition was too overwhelming, amplified by hired commentators fanning the flames.
The incident trended higher than even celebrity scandals.
Interestingly, one particular celebrity silently thanked Ye Chen. After all, under normal circumstances, they would have to pay for PR teams to suppress scandals or leak other gossip to shift public attention.
Ye Chen's controversy conveniently diverted the spotlight.
At 3:30 PM local time in Germany, the match between Stuttgart and Dortmund began.
Seated on the bench, Ye Chen was unaware of the storm brewing online back home.
On the pitch, tension escalated immediately.
Ten minutes into the game, both teams had already received three yellow cards each!
The referee appeared confused but remained firm.
By the 20-minute mark, ten yellow cards had been issuedâevery player on the pitch had one.
Strangely, neither coach attempted to calm their players.
Watching the chaos unfold, Ye Chen clenched his fists.
Let me on the field, and I'll show you what Chinese power looks like!
The match was fierce. Meanwhile, the internet in China was ablaze with arguments.
The Football Association acted swiftly. FA Chairman Liang Zhijun issued an official statement:
[Disciplinary Action for Ye Chen's On-Field Incident Abroad]
[Ye Chen injured Japanese player Shinji Okazaki during pre-match warmups between Stuttgart and Dortmund, tarnishing Chinese football's image. The following penalties are imposed:]
1. A â¬100,000 fine.
2. A public apology.
3. A 10-year suspension from all national teams.
This notice serves as a warning to others.
The announcement went viral instantly.
A follow-up interview soon surfaced online:
[Chairman Liang Zhijun on Ye Chen: "He's Not World-ClassâHis Behavior Confirms My Fears."]
In an interview with Sports Weekly, Liang admitted he had been monitoring Ye Chen since his move to Dortmund.
Despite Ye Chen's talentâmarked by five hat-tricksâLiang expressed concern over potential arrogance.
"Today's incident confirms my fears."
"Ye Chen's ego has inflated."
The controversy not only affected Chinese football but strained relations with Japan as well.
The harsh penalties aimed to awaken Ye Chen to his misconduct.
Liang's authority carried weight, igniting further online discussions.
Though the FA faced criticism, public anger toward Ye Chen overshadowed everything.
The FA even contacted social media platforms, requesting Ye Chen's account be suspended.
Under pressure, Weibo restricted comments and likes on Ye Chen's account, though he could still postâpending strict review.
It seemed like a decisive victory for the FA.
Ye Chen's fans felt powerless to overturn the situation.
This is where having the right team mattered.
Though agent Mendes was on vacation in Spain, Ye Chen's Chinese PR team, led by former sports journalist Li Xinran, was prepared.
Li Xinran, once with Sports Weekly, left to start her own media career, frequently posting behind-the-scenes clips of Ye Chen.
Grateful for her past support, Ye Chen hired her to manage his affairs in China.
Upon hearing the news, Li Xinran immediately contacted Mendes.
But the seasoned Mendes replied with just three words: Don't rush.
To destroy, one must first drive them mad.
Mercedes-Benz Arena.
At 21 minutes and 12 seconds, Stuttgart earned a free kick.
Harnik's quick pass found Kvist, who threaded it to Cacau upfront.
Cacau took a shot, but Hummels deflected itâsending the ball straight to Shinji Okazaki.
Okazaki wasted no time, blasting the ball toward the goal.
Boom!
At the 22-minute mark, Okazaki scored, sending Stuttgart fans into a frenzy.
But controversy erupted.
Rather than celebrating at the corner flag, Okazaki ran toward Dortmund's benchâmaking a throat-slitting gesture.
Dortmund's substitutes jumped to their feet, but Klopp calmly signaled them to sit.
Let them be arrogant.
To destroy, one must first drive them mad.