The Chinese football authorities have banned Changchun Yatai's Zhang Li for six games after he was found guilty of "causing chaos" during an altercation with ex-Chelsea striker Demba Ba in the Chinese Super League last weekend.
Zhang was also fined 42,000 yuan (£4,800) after the Chinese Football Association ruled that the midfielder had "interfered with the order of the game and caused chaos that had a negative effect for the public" during Changchun's 1-1 draw with Shanghai Shenhua.
"According to the Chinese Football Association (CFA) discipline code, the CFA will treat any violation of discipline and the regulations seriously to maintain good order on the field," the CFA said in a statement.
"We hope everyone can join us in maintaining good order and in protecting the developing environment of Chinese football."
Ba and Zhang clashed late in the second half of Saturday's meeting at Changchun Sports Centre Stadium after the forward fouled Changchun's Tan Tiancheng and Zhang launched a verbal tirade at him.
The players had to be pulled apart again less than a minute later, with Changchun's Odion Ighalo stepping in to mediate. Shenhua coach Wu Jingui said during his postmatch news conference that Ba had been racially abused.
Those allegations prompted the CFA to announce on Monday that it would open an investigation into the incident.
