Australia and China fined over women`s brawl

Tokyo: The Asian Football Confederation banned one player for four matches and handed out a total of USD 12,000 in fines after a wild brawl between the Australian and Chinese under-19 women`s teams earlier this week.

Australia`s Jessica Seaman was fined USD 3,000 and suspended for four games after she was sent off during Monday`s match in Wuhan then found guilty of violating the AFC disciplinary code. The Chinese team were fined USD 2,000 for their involvement in the fight which followed Seaman`s sending off. The Chinese Football Association were given an additional fine of USD 3,000 "for failing to control spectators" after some members of the crowd began throwing water bottles at the Australians as they left the pitch.The Australian team were fined USD 4,000 after they were found guilty of breaching a number of offences, including starting the scuffle at the end of the match. They were also charged for throwing bottles back at the crowd while "the team head coach was also found guilty of misbehaviour during the post-match press conference," an AFC statement said. China won the ill-tempered match 2-1, holding on for victory despite a late appeal for a penalty from the Australians, who were aghast to see the referee award a free kick outside the box. Seaman was then dismissed on full time and a bench-clearing melee ensued, with the crowd joining in by pelting the visitors with water bottles as they left the pitch. Bureau Report