MKsportplayers during the match. " src="https://www.globaltimes.cn/Portals/0/attachment/2024/2024-02-21/5669f033-eb7f-46da-b353-ea7fb01f5b06.jpeg" />

A screencut of the footage showing coach Wu Gaojun instructing his players during the match.

A youth soccer coach from Northeast China's Liaoning Province, was banned for 12 months for inappropriate language and misconduct while directing his team in an invitational tournament, according to a statement released by the Chinese Football Association on Wednesday.

During the 5th to 8th place playoff of the youth tournament held in South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in February, Wu Gaojun, coach of the U10 team of Shenyang Aosa Qixing Soccer Club, was seen in a footage instigating his players to intentionally kick the opponents when the team was 0-6 behind in the game. The footage has triggered an outcry on China's social media. 

Under Gao's instruction, namely: "Can you kick a player if you can't kick the ball? And kick him if he dribbles past you," his players allegedly committed dangerous fouls and actions that could have resulted in injuries to the adversaries.

Given his misconduct, some of the parents attending protested against Wu's remarks and urged the referee of the game to take disciplinary action. However, the referee said that there was no reference in the rules to penalize the coach, according to reports. 

Wu was later banned for 12 months for his misconduct and the Shenyang club was banned from participating in all competitions for three months within the Liaoning Province by the Liaoning Football Association. 

In an effort to rigorously address various disciplinary infractions and upholding fairness of the sport, the CFA has decided to extend the provincial decision nationwide, according to a statement released on Wednesday.