Chinese football star expelled from national squad after drunk driving

TIANJIN -- Team China player Zhang Lu was severely punished by the Chinese Football Association (CFA) on Saturday for drunk driving.

The 32-year-old goalkeeper was detained for drunk driving on Wednesday evening. After police revealed the case detail on Saturday morning, the CFA immediately announced Zhang was expelled from the national team and suspended from all CFA's football-related activities.

"Zhang's behavior will face further punishment after the relevant department publish the consequences resulting from the incident," the CFA announcement said.

Zhang, captain of the Chinese Super League club Tianjin Tianhai, was also suspended without pay by the club.

In 2017, former Tianhai player Zhang Xiuwei was fined a sum equivalent to six months' salary for drunk driving and suspended by the CFA from engaging in any football activities during this time.