CFA investigating Ba racism claims

The Chinese Football Association on Monday said it was investigating reports that Senegalese striker Demba Ba was subjected to racial slurs by an opposing Chinese player during a weekend match, vowing "stern punishment" if the incident proved true.

The African former Chelsea forward, now with Shanghai Shenhua, became embroiled in a heated confrontation with Changchun Yatai midfielder Zhang Li late in their 1-1 Chinese Super League draw on Saturday night after Ba collided with one of Zhang's teammates.

Various Chinese media reports said a furious Ba later claimed that Zhang had hurled racially insulting remarks at him.