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China U23 coach calls QPR match a `scandal'

China's Olympic soccer coach Ratomir Dujkovic, speaking at length publicly for the first time following an on-field brawl between his team and London club Queens Park Rangers (QPR), called the match a "scandal" and put most of the blame on the English.

Earlier this week, the English Football Association charged QPR with misconduct for the brawl in London. The English club had already suspended assistant coach Richard Hill, who was charged with violent conduct by English authorities.

"They [English players] started the kicking and our guys defended themselves," Dujkovic said yesterday in Beijing. "Of course I am not satisfied with that."

"They must keep their cool and try to beat opponents by scoring goals -- not fighting. But sometimes if somebody is attacking you, you have to defend yourself," he said.

The Feb. 7 match between China's under-23 Olympic team and QPR's reserves ended 15 minutes early after players from both teams fought on the field. QPR were leading 2-1. China's Zheng Tao was hospitalized with a broken jaw.
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