On January 1st, Beijing time, the "New Year's Day Battle" between Xinjiang Men's Basketball Team and Shandong Men's Basketball Team witnessed one of the most intense moments in the CBA this season and possibly the last decade. Zhao Rui, after attempting a layup, angrily confronted the referee and was subsequently ejected from the game for colliding with the official. It is rare to see a player physically assault a referee in the CBA, despite instances of player fights and fan conflicts. While it is true that Zhao Rui was fouled right in front of the referee, who should not have overlooked it, Zhao Rui's impulsive action crossed a line, potentially leading to severe consequences for Xinjiang. According to reports from journalists, Zhao Rui may face a six-game suspension and a 200,000 yuan fine post-match.
Zhao Rui's unnecessary physical contact with the referee could be subject to CBA disciplinary rules. If judged under Article 25 of Chapter 1 of Section 2 of the CBA Disciplinary Code, which stipulates a suspension of 1-3 games and a fine of 50,000 to 100,000 yuan for intentional unnecessary physical contact with a referee, the situation could escalate. Under Article 28 of the same chapter and section, a first offense could result in a suspension of 3-6 games and a fine of 100,000 to 200,000 yuan. In particularly serious cases, a player could lose their eligibility for the season or even be suspended for a year. Zhao Rui's direct confrontation with the referee could be deemed "particularly serious," warranting a potential one-year suspension. However, considering the CBA company's past tendency to avoid strict penalties, it is likely that Zhao Rui will receive a more moderate punishment, such as a 5-6 game suspension and a 100,000 to 200,000 yuan fine.
Zhao Rui's impulsiveness is evident. Although the referee's failure to call a foul on him was unjustified, the game was only in the first quarter. The better course of action would have been to focus on the rest of the match and respond with improved performance on the court. Instead, Zhao Rui's collision with the referee led to his ejection, leaving Xinjiang without their key offensive and defensive player, putting them at a disadvantage. Xinjiang did not lose by many points, and if Zhao Rui had maintained his composure and avoided being ejected, Shandong might not have secured the victory.
After being ejected, Zhao Rui's anger continued to simmer, even spilling over onto social media. On his personal social media account, Zhao Rui unleashed a tirade against fans. Some fans commented that Zhao Rui remains as fiery as ever, just like when he played for Guangdong. The biggest victim in this incident is arguably Xinjiang Men's Basketball Team. Zhao Rui had just recovered from an injury and hadn't played many games before facing another suspension. Xinjiang should consider finding a more reliable small foreign player to strengthen their team.
