Western Sydney star Shannon Cole has questioned whether Guangzhou Evergrande fans were encouraged to be hostile towards his team for the second-leg of their Asian Champions League quarter-final in China.
The fledgling A-League club lost Wednesday night’s match 2-1, but advanced to the semi-finals on away goals following last week’s 1-0 upset win at home.
Cole said local supporters were banging on the Wanderers’ hotel doors and calling their rooms in the early hours of the morning before the crucial game.
The midfielder also claimed a driver purposely caused their team bus to crash – twice – on the way to Tianhe Stadium, where they then had “hundreds of bottles” hurled at them.
Laser beams were also reportedly shone into their eyes during play.
“We had all sorts thrown at us,” Cole told Sky Sports Radio’s Big Sports Breakfast on Thursday.
“The team, as well as it seemed like everyone in the city, did their best to make it difficult for us.
“People banging on our doors at three, four, five in the morning; phone calls throughout the night, hurling abuse at us and stuff like that.
“And then, on the way to the game, someone purposely swerved in front of our bus and slammed their brakes on and our bus hit them. And then a bus hit us from behind.
“We had a back-up bus, but then five minutes later had another accident.
“They did everything possible. At the ground, hundreds of bottles were hurled at us.
“But full credit to the guys, it was a fun experience and something we all had a laugh about.”
Asked if he believed fans were seeking revenge for last week’s fiery first-leg in Sydney, where two Guangzhou players were red-carded, Cole said it may have been.
“There’s passion and then there’s stupidity,” he added.
“You think they’re such a big club that the fans would have faith their players could do the job.
“But I felt they tried to take matters into their own hands – whether they were pushed or encouraged by people, who knows?
“Nevertheless, it’s a story to tell for us and a very positive experience.”
Cole said he’d also heard rumours Guangzhou’s highest-paid players were offered up to $1 million in bonuses if they won the match.
clayts
Guest
I hope that isn't the view taken by most Australian football fans. Surely we are better than shining lasers and have more important things to do than camp outside a football team's hotel and go ringing their room numbers late at night. Sad if you don't though I suppose
clayts
Guest
That and the lasers are completely ridiculous. A yellow card for putting your finger up to your face? That is ludicrous. Lasers being shone in anyone's eyes, let alone people at a place of work is eve more ludicrous, and potentially criminal. As was mentioned above, if it was wanderers fans that did it here, not only would WSW be dragged though the media mire, the entire game would be. Farcical
Jaime
Guest
You better check your dictionary for the meaning of racist... If you ever have one. Stereotyping people is most common in football than in politics.
Josh
Guest
It's ok, the Chinese team will be visiting Australia again next ACL....
Bondy
Guest
They were shi^^ing themselves the Chinese and rightly so look at the result, thats football.....
AZ_RBB
Guest
We'll also be training at the private facilities of the Crown Prince of Dubai, previously used by Man Utd and will be used during in the Christmas break by some of the biggest clubs in Europe. Players will be training in 40C+ temps.
zutto
Guest
wonder what their own fan have to say about bribery accusation?
AZ_RBB
Guest
There's some prizemoney involved as well.
AZ_RBB
Guest
In preparation for the ACL semi and A-League season, WSW are off to Dubai for a friendly tournament against Al-Riffa and Al-Jazira. Maybe it's actually preparation for the ACL final vs West Asia :P haha
Wicked Ninja
Guest
I'm not sure Clive Palmer was a factor. The fact that they were losing after the first leg definitely was.
whiskeymac
Guest
Equating wsw and Queensland Clive as the same? Bit racist that, saying all Aussie s are the same ;)
Jaime
Guest
After Clive Palmer stupid and racist comments on Chinese people what else can you expect. They maybe football fans but they are Chinese proud. Plus this happens everywhere else to some degree.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Doubt it. Also, Juric has been suspended from the first leg of the semi for shoosh-ing the Guangzhou crowd. Yup.....
whiskeymac
Guest
I agree. the use of lasers, if proven, is unacceptable and one which should be redressed. Will it be?
magila cutty
Guest
The "clive" factor at work?
AZ_RBB
Guest
I know money isn't an issue at Guangzhou but surely there has to be some sanctions for the lasers? On top of Lippi's behaviour and the teams dramatic exit from the competition, I can't imagine Guangzhou's reputation in Asia is the same after this tie.
Roarsome
Guest
Anyone would think they were there to play cricket with this sort of fan behaviour.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
I doubt very much it was orchestrated by the club. Much of it has to do with a broader rising sense of nationalism that is finding its way into a number of fields, club football being but one.
p budd
Guest
It isn't very pleasant but it isn't new or particularly surprising. There have been cases where planes have been held up on runways for several hours in the heat, street parties outside hotels, dodgy food and drink, accusations of theft and police intervention with players, all in addition to abuse and missile throwing. The laser lights were a bit worrying, but it seems these days "anything goes".
whiskeymac
Guest
Imagine if that'd happened here.