China's basketball chief Li Yuanwei says he wants to adopt the NBA zero tolerance policy for China in order to control players and protect the league's image.

Last Friday the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) was shaken by the wildest night in its 12-year history during a game between Fujian SBS and Zhejiang Cyclones.

Rowdy spectators in Yiwu, Zhejiang Province, clashed during the match while home fans attacked Fujian's team bus after the game.

The chaos started with a brawl between rival groups of fans, allegedly sparked by an obscene gesture from a Fujian player. The team sheltered in a local police station while the angry mob was dispersed from outside the team's hotel.

Faced with a Chinese version of the "Auburn Hills Brawl", when a fight between the Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers spilled into the stands, Li sternly spoke of the CBA's determination to improve the league's image by imposing stricter standards on players and organizers.

"This is a terrible shame for the league and the whole hoop market in China. It threatens to derail the attempts of many people to build up the league," Li told China Daily. "If we learned anything from the Zhejiang-Fujian brawl, it's that this was just the latest embarrassing black mark for a league with a serious image problem. We have worked very hard to elevate the standard of competition over the years, and now, eliminating melees like this will be at the top of our agenda."

"It's very hard for the CBA to control fans away from the court but it's still part of the league. The CBA and also the host city have the responsibility of stopping brawls on and off the court. The NBA has set a good example for us in controlling players and fans, and the CBA will be adopting more regulations on the matter."

The CBA chief added that a Players' Handbook will be issued next season with any rule-breaking resulting in fines or bans.

The dispute on Friday broke out in the second half of a close contest, which Zhejiang would eventually win 90-82. Insults were directed at a group of traveling Fujian fans after forward Gong Songlin's alleged obscene gesture.

Missiles rained down on the court in response, forcing play to be halted. The chaos continued upon resumption, with Zhejiang supporters even shaking the post whenever Fujian players attempted free throws.

Gong was seen making gestures once again after the match had ended, but Fujian's coach defended his player, saying he was trying to calm the angry fans.

This is not the first time fans of Zhejiang have rioted. The team was forced by the CBA to move from its home court in Hangzhou due to crowd trouble in 2004.

The CBA is investigating the incident and the outcome is expected later this week. Li, however, is clear on who to blame - the organizers in Yiwu.

"They should be responsible for protecting the Fujian team in Yiwu, but they failed to do so," he said. "Their security efforts were a mess that night. I think this is a lesson for all home court organizers. If you don't take care of other teams in your city, your team will be treated the same way."

The brawl in Yiwu was not the only time crowd violence has racked the CBA this season.

Mack Tuck, a US player for the Shandong Lions, was warned by the CBA for chasing after a spectator who allegedly spit at him after a game against the Jilin Tigers on January 5 in Changchun, Jilin Province. Three other matches were held up in December when fans threw bottles onto the court.

(China Daily January 17, 2007)