Xin Duan, the coach of Liaoning Shenyang Urban Football Club, apologized for his “irrational” behavior after slapping a referee in a match in Nanjing (Chinese second league, final score 4-0).

h2. Xin Duan apologized for “irrational behavior”

In first-half extra time, Xin Duan clashed with referee Chen Hao after he awarded a penalty to his team.

The technician received a red card for protesting, prompting him to punch the referee. According to Chinese media reports, Xin was taken to hospital after losing consciousness, then returned to the team hotel and apologized to the referee.

“In the first half of the match… the leader of our club disagreed with the referee’s decision and acted irrationally, violating the disciplinary regulations of the CFA League.

After the match, the management of our club talked to Xin Duan, who realized the seriousness of the mistake…

Xin Duan and the team management acknowledged the mistake and found the match supervisor and the referee in the first hour to sincerely apologize for the irrational behavior” – Liaoning Shenyang Urban FC in a statement on the official Weibo account, Reuters reports.

The Chinese Football Association (CFA) has not commented on the situation.