AFC: Shandong Luneng banned for two years and fined for withdrawing from AFC Champions League

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) issued a statement on the 4th stating that China's Shandong Taishan Football Club will be banned from participating in AFC club competitions for the next two seasons and fined $50,000 for withdrawing from the previous season's AFC Champions League midway through. It is reported that the decision was made by the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee on July 30th. On February 19th of this year, the AFC announced that Shandong Taishan's confirmation of not participating in the match against South Korea's Ulsan Hyundai FC that evening was considered an automatic withdrawal.