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Joel Griffiths' Beijing Guoan Future In Doubt Following Seven-Match Suspension For Obscene Finger Gesture
The 30 year-old might just have brought to an end his Chinese Super League career.
14-Oct-2009 5:49:17 AM
Joel Griffiths’ Chinese Super League season – and possibly his career with Beijing Guoan – is over after the Australian was slapped with a seven match ban for making an obscene gesture to fans.
The striker reportedly gave a two-handed middle finger ‘salute’ to the Henan Construction fans whilst celebrating his side’s dramatic late equalizer during a heated 2-2 draw with their title rivals.
Henan remain on top of the Chinse Super League ladder with just three games to go, a point ahead of Beijing, Changchun Yatai and Shandong Luneng.
They came back after going behind to a fine effort by Ryan Griffiths – the brother of Joel – before taking the lead themselves and then conceding dramatically in injury time as Beijing kept their title hopes alive.
Joel moved to Beijing on loan from A-League outfit the Newcastle Jets until the end of the season but with his current suspension set to carry on into next season, his future in China has been cast into some doubt.
The league’s disciplinary committee has also fined the 30 year-old $A8,105 for his actions.
It isn't the first time Griffiths has been involved in on-field controversy in China this season, after being banned for five games back in April after having been accused of elbowing an opponent.
Get all the Australian football coverage you need on the Goal.com Australia homepage!
The striker reportedly gave a two-handed middle finger ‘salute’ to the Henan Construction fans whilst celebrating his side’s dramatic late equalizer during a heated 2-2 draw with their title rivals.
Henan remain on top of the Chinse Super League ladder with just three games to go, a point ahead of Beijing, Changchun Yatai and Shandong Luneng.
They came back after going behind to a fine effort by Ryan Griffiths – the brother of Joel – before taking the lead themselves and then conceding dramatically in injury time as Beijing kept their title hopes alive.
Joel moved to Beijing on loan from A-League outfit the Newcastle Jets until the end of the season but with his current suspension set to carry on into next season, his future in China has been cast into some doubt.
The league’s disciplinary committee has also fined the 30 year-old $A8,105 for his actions.
It isn't the first time Griffiths has been involved in on-field controversy in China this season, after being banned for five games back in April after having been accused of elbowing an opponent.
Get all the Australian football coverage you need on the Goal.com Australia homepage!
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