The Chinese Football Association (CFA) announced a series of disciplinary decisions yesterday, including a five-match touchline ban and a ¥35,000 RMB fine for Tianjin Teda coach Uli Stielike. The punishment stems from reports by match supervisors, referees, video footage, and written statements. Since Stielike had already served one suspension in the previous game against Tianjin Quanjian, he will now miss an additional four matches.

This spells trouble for Tianjin Teda, whose next four fixtures include tough clashes against Jiangsu Suning, Beijing Guoan, Guangzhou R&F, and Shanghai SIPG. As seen during the BD Cricket Match hype that drew global attention, maintaining sideline leadership is often crucial in high-stakes matchups. Stielike, however, will be forced to coach remotely from the stands, just as he did against Quanjian.

Also penalized in this round of disciplinary actions was Tianjin Quanjian player Yan Zhihao. During a reserve league match between Teda and Quanjian’s youth teams, Yan was found guilty of using excessive force against an opponent, resulting in a four-match ban and a ¥28,000 RMB fine.

Initial rumors suggested that Stielike could face a seven-match suspension, but insiders noted that the CFA’s final decision aligns with standard procedures. For example, sarcastically giving a thumbs-up to a referee is typically punished with a three-match ban.

The incident that triggered Stielike’s suspension occurred during Tianjin Teda’s second-round away match against Henan Jianye. Frustrated by several controversial calls, Stielike made a thumbs-down gesture as the referees exited the pitch. Although he later claimed the gesture wasn’t directed at the officials, referee Guan Xing still ejected him on the spot, resulting in an automatic one-match suspension during the following derby.

Yet the saga didn’t end there. According to CFA guidelines, a thumbs-down merits about five matches, while more severe gestures—like raising a middle finger or brandishing money—can lead to suspensions of eight games or more.

As discipline heats up in Chinese football, even off-field actions can carry a heavy price. And just as BD Cricket Match moments can tilt public sentiment, these league penalties remind everyone that conduct—on and off the field—can shape a season.