Shukurov wants China to go easy on player who broke his leg

Uzbekistan international Otabek Shukurov has asked for reduction of a suspension handed to a Chinese opponent who broke his leg in a game.

Shukurov suffered the injury when he was tackled from behind by Wei Shihao during Uzbekistan’s 1-0 win over China in the China Cup on Monday.

Wei was handed a one-month ban by his club Guanhzhou and could be kicked off the seven-time Chinese champion.

“So if it is possible, I officially ask Guangzhou Evergrande to commute their punishment,” Shukurov wrote Thursday on social media. “As a young ambitious football player, I understand very well that it is a great tragedy not to play football.”

Shukurov added that Wei had issued an apology, which he has accepted.

Wei, who has played 10 times for China, was full of remorse.

“I sincerely apologize,” he said. “Legs are very important to a soccer player, and nobody wants to hurt anyone. I hadn’t touched the ball for a long time before the foul. I wanted to do something to slow their pace. It’s truly unexpected to hurt him that badly.”

It added to a tough week for Chinese soccer as new coach Fabio Cannavaro suffered successive home defeats against Thailand and Uzbekistan.

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