Many fans jokingly comment that in terms of issuing fines, the CBA league outpaces other basketball leagues around the world. Zhao Rui, who collided with a referee during the Xinjiang versus Shandong match, quickly received a fine from the CBA company, with less than 20 hours elapsing from the end of the game to the issuance of the fine, demonstrating high efficiency indeed. The CBA officially announced that Xinjiang player Zhao Rui would be suspended for 5 games and fined 100,000 yuan for colliding with a referee, while Xinjiang head coach Liu Wei was fined 20,000 yuan. After the announcement, the first reaction of the fans was: too light!
After the Xinjiang versus Shandong match, media figures had already speculated on the number of games Zhao Rui would be banned and the amount of his fine. Zhao Rui's unnecessary contact with the referee falls under two major clauses of the CBA, with specific penalties ranging from a suspension of 1-3 games and a fine of 50,000 to 100,000 yuan, or a suspension of 3-6 games and a fine of 100,000 to 200,000 yuan. Judging from the final outcome, it appears that the CBA company has invoked the second clause, which stipulates a suspension of 3-6 games and a fine of 100,000 to 200,000 yuan. Objectively speaking, Zhao Rui's action was quite malicious and seriously affected the image and order of the CBA league. Even if the CBA company were to impose the maximum penalty, directly suspending him for 6 games and fining him 200,000 yuan, or even suspending him for a year, it would still be considered reasonable. However, the CBA seems to be wary of Xinjiang's men's basketball team; previously, Xinjiang had withdrawn from the league as a form of protest. If the CBA were to "strike hard" against Zhao Rui and Xinjiang's men's basketball team again this time, it is uncertain what further actions Xinjiang might take.
Moreover, as a key player for the national team and an absolute core for the Chinese men's basketball team during the window period, imposing too severe a punishment on Zhao Rui at this time could be detrimental to maintaining his good competitive state and could also affect the performance of the Chinese men's basketball team. Additionally, Zhao Rui himself quickly issued an apology statement after the game, expressing sincere regret and a good attitude, showing a willingness to reform. After comprehensive consideration, the CBA company decided to issue a relatively moderate fine of a 5-game suspension plus 100,000 yuan for Zhao Rui. As for Liu Wei being fined, it can be considered bad luck. According to the official explanation from the CBA, based on the relevant regulations of the CBA league's sportsmanship and discipline responsibility system this season, due to the fact that Xinjiang's men's basketball team has repeatedly exhibited violations by players during matches this season, Liu Wei, as the person responsible, was fined 20,000 yuan as a warning.
