As the Chinese Super League season progresses, Tianjin Jinmen Tiger finds itself under intense pressure to avoid relegation. Once a team capable of disrupting top contenders, they started this year with a -10 point deduction, making every match a struggle for survival. On the evening of May 10, Tianjin managed a 1-1 away draw against Zhejiang, but the result came through a highly controversial penalty in stoppage time. Making matters worse, the club’s official social media account then blocked Wang Yinchun, a veteran local broadcaster who had famously cried for the team years ago, sparking outrage among fans.
The match’s climax arrived late, with a brilliant free kick from Mitrovic, but the real drama unfolded in added time when Hadas converted a penalty that ignited fierce debate. “Was the referee incompetent, or was the VAR being manipulated?” questioned one fan. Another wrote, “Zhejiang fans don’t need those three points, but that call was just ridiculous.”
Coach Yu Genwei commented afterward, “This one point is crucial for us. I told the players yesterday we had to avoid conceding, and for a relegation-threatened team, a draw is acceptable. We gave away a stupid set-piece goal.” Fans were quick to respond, “You gave away a stupid goal and got a stupid penalty in return. Are you not worried, Yu?” Others sarcastically added, “It’s fine, the FA sent a friendly referee to make up for it.”
After 11 rounds, Tianjin sits on just one point, deep in the relegation zone. But within hours of the match, an even stranger story unfolded. Early on May 11, Wang Yinchun, a beloved Tianjin TV commentator, posted a screenshot showing he had been blocked by the club’s official Weibo account. The move was unprecedented—blocking a broadcaster who had openly wept for the team during a critical moment in 2021.
Wang’s simple post read, “At 40, I have no more confusion. But I still find warmth recalling those tears I shed on March 21, 2021.” His calm words spoke louder than any angry retort. Fans quickly erupted in support. “Wang truly loves this club, he never just blindly praises,” one noted. Another said, “A team that survives death’s door only to block the person who cried for them—unbelievable.” Others called for the club to be renamed “Tianjin Yu Genwei Team” or to erect a statue. However, a few fans backed the club, saying, “Good riddance. His commentary was annoying.”
Tianjin Jinmen Tiger now faces the league leaders, Chengdu Rongcheng, at home on May 15, a match that promises even greater challenges. With morale low and fan trust shaken, the club must quickly resolve its off-field drama if it hopes to escape the relegation fight.