China recalled its U20 team from Germany "after a series of matches against regional fourth division sides was postponed" until at least '18. Last week, the German and Chinese FAs announced the postponement "amid fear of protests." The Chinese FA said that the U20 team, which had been based in Germany, would return to China. It cited "Tibetan interferences," which it said the German FA (DFB) had been "unwilling to control," as the reason (ESPN.com, 11/27).
Bulgarian clubs CSKA Sofia and Lokomotiv Plovdiv "have both been ordered to play two matches behind closed doors after crowd trouble at their league match on Sunday," the Bulgarian Football Union said on Monday. Fighting between rival fans "forced the referee to halt Sunday's match in Plovdiv for nearly 20 minutes." CSKA was also fined 14,300 levs ($8,700) and Lokomotiv was fined 14,000 levs ($8,500) (REUTERS, 11/27).
A Brasileiro match between Ponte Preta and Vitoria was abandoned with eight minutes remaining on Sunday "when Ponte fans invaded the pitch" after their side fell behind 3-2, a result that left the club relegated. Ponte fans in the sellout crowd of 13,000 "tore down parts of the wire fencing and charged on to the pitch, with angry supporters surrounding goalkeeper Aranha" (REUTERS, 11/26).
