The Chinese Professional Football League has imposed a US$70,000 fine on Chengdu Rongcheng FC after their supporters racially abused Ghana international Frank Acheampong.
In addition, a section of the club’s stadium will be closed to spectators for one match.
The sanction was announced on Saturday after league authorities reviewed the matter.
According to Chengdu police, two men were arrested shortly after the match and placed in administrative detention-which can last up to 20 days.
They have also been banned from entering any football venue for 12 months.
According to the state-run newspaper The Global Times, Acheampong was the target of ”abusive remarks” and ”discriminatory behavior” by Chengdu Rongcheng fans during an away match on October 31, in the penultimate round of the season.
The report added: ”The misconduct, captured on video and widely circulated on social media platforms, included ‘monkey-calls’ mocking the skin color of visiting Henan FC’s Ghanaian player Frank Acheampong and repeated middle-finger gestures.”
Under Chinese Football Association rules, any derogatory remarks or behavior by fans based on race, ethnicity, gender, language or religion can result in sanctions against the club.
Acheampong, 32, who plays for Henan FC, has scored 14 goals in 30 appearances in the Chinese Super League.
