This season marks the first after reforms in the Chinese Volleyball Super League. Previously criticized for its short duration, we have extended the new season to March and introduced a youth team system with promotion and relegation, which has intensified competition and instilled a sense of urgency among teams. If a team ranks eighth in the playoffs, it will be relegated to Group B. During the first stage of the regular season, aside from errors in individual player data released by the Chinese Volleyball Association (CVA), what stands out is the controversial call during a match between Tianjin and Shandong women's volleyball teams, where a ball that did not touch the ground was mistakenly ruled as such, sparking significant debate.
On December 29th, the men's volleyball playoffs kicked off, with third-ranked Tianjin facing sixth-ranked Beijing, at Tianjin's home court. In the first set, with Beijing leading 15-13, Tianjin's No. 9 served, and the referee called it out of bounds. Tianjin challenged the call, and the replay confirmed the serve was in, awarding the point back to Tianjin. However, this process sparked controversy. The ball flew out from the sideline, but the video replay showed it coming from the baseline—a blatant discrepancy that is outrageous.
The CVA's obvious fabrication is disheartening. With high-tech Hawk-Eye challenges in place, without them, referees would largely determine match outcomes, which is unfair to opponents who train diligently. The match was officiated by renowned referee Liu Jiang, who recently refereed Zhu Ting's match at the Women's Club World Cup. However, referees are powerless in this situation, as they only execute decisions; the person responsible for video replays at the CVA is the real culprit. If this incident is not strictly investigated, similar occurrences will persist.
The match was broadcast live on CCTV5, causing severe repercussions. Although not a decisive point, it significantly affects players' mentality. In the past, chief referee Wang Ning blew a black whistle, later apologizing to Liaoning women's volleyball mentor Yue Jinku. Back then, without Hawk-Eye challenges, referees had the final say. Now, with Hawk-Eye challenges, such fabrication still occurs, necessitating a thorough investigation within the CVA. Beijing can also file a complaint. Our matches must be conducted under fair conditions; otherwise, competitive sports lose their meaning. Without a fair environment, there is no appeal.
