China fines players for 'basket brawl'

The Chinese Basketball Association fined 12 players and two coaches on the national team for an 'ugly' brawl in a game last week with Puerto Rico, but did not suspend anyone, the China Daily reported yesterday.

Fines ranged from 2,000 to 20,000 yuan ($250-2,500) and all players involved in the fight in Beijing last week - called a "night of shame" by state media - were given stern warnings and ordered to apologise.

"We are here to officially apologise to the fans for what happened during the game against Puerto Rico," Chinese basketball official Kuang Lubin was quoted as saying in a statement.

The fighting erupted at Beijing Capital Gymnasium after two Chinese players charged off the bench to fight Puerto Rican players in the dying moments of a nationally-televised game that China was leading comfortably.

The fight spurred 3,000 home fans to hurl insults and missiles at the visiting team.

"The brawl has had negative effects for China as it gears up for the 2008 Beijing Olympics," Kuang wrote.