38-year-old former Shandong international loses control, sent off for abusing the referee but continues face-to-face outburst

A heated incident occurred during the China Youth U20 League match on April 27 (Beijing time), as 38-year-old Shandong Taishan U20 head coach Cui Peng was sent off after angrily confronting the referee over controversial decisions.

In the match, Taishan U20 lost 1-2 to Shaanxi Union U20. At halftime, as the refereeing team was leaving the pitch, Cui Peng approached them to express his dissatisfaction. During the protest, he became highly emotional and used aggressive language.

Unable to tolerate the situation, the referee quickly issued two yellow cards in succession, which resulted in a red card dismissal. Even after being sent off, Cui Peng continued to argue face-to-face with the referee, at one point forcing the official to step back onto the field. The situation was eventually defused by assistant referees and coaching staff.

The incident sparked widespread discussion online. Some criticized his temper, noting that he was known for being hot-headed even during his playing days. Others questioned the professionalism at the grassroots level of Chinese football. Meanwhile, some fans defended him, suggesting the referee’s decisions might have been controversial and urging patience before drawing conclusions.

Cui Peng, born on May 31, 1987, was a former Chinese international who made seven appearances for the national team. He spent most of his playing career with Shandong Taishan and was part of China’s U20 squad at the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship. After retiring, he transitioned into coaching and currently works with the Taishan youth system.