Why did Shanghai Shenhua and Shanghai Hong Kong conflict in the FA Cup and who is responsible?

On the evening of August 26, 2021, a serious conflict occurred between Shanghai and Shenhua, two Shanghai teams in the China Football Super League (Super League). The conflict occurred in the semi-finals of the China FA Cup match, once again shocking people at the violence in China's football field.

There are many theories about the cause of the conflict, but the main reason can be traced back to a controversial penalty in the game. According to reports, in the 43rd minute of the game, when Forrest Gump of the Shanghai team stole Godi of the Shenhua team in the frontcourt, the Shenhua team thought Forrest Gump had fouled, but the referee did not make a penalty, causing dissatisfaction among the Shenhua team.

The emotionally stimulated Shenhua players then committed retaliatory fouls on the court, making the game more tense. Arguments and shoving between players from both sides gradually escalated and eventually turned into large-scale conflicts. According to reports, players from both sides even attacked each other with chairs, ice buckets and other items, and the scene was chaotic for a time.

Regarding the responsibility for this conflict, some voices believe that unfair punishment by the referee was a key factor leading to the conflict. Shenhua players believed that if the referee had made a foul call at that time, conflicts might have been avoided. However, it is worth noting that while foul calls may have an impact on the game, players and club managers should also have better emotional control and conflict resolution capabilities.

In addition, some views believe that the occurrence of this conflict is also related to the tight competition, public opinion pressure and excessive pressure on players in the Chinese Super League. Many players are under heavy psychological pressure in high-intensity training and competitions all year round. Once stress cannot be released in time, it can easily lead to emotional loss and conflict.

The conflict between Shanghai and Shenhua is not only a dispute over a football match, but also highlights some problems in China's football world. Unfair penalties, insufficient emotional control of players and excessive competitive pressure all need to be addressed through a series of reform measures. Only by establishing a fair and transparent referee system and improving players 'emotional management capabilities can we truly pave the way for the development of football in China.