China World Cup hopes pinned on referee Ma Ning, could ‘impartial’ official oversee final?
The 46-year-old is poised for second finals, while country’s footballers must wait at least another four years to add to 2002 appearance
Eleven years after the three reds and nine yellows he brandished in an ill-tempered Shanghai derby led to him being labelled the “card master”, a nickname that endures to this day, Ma Ning is poised to fly the Chinese flag at the forthcoming World Cup.
Currently preparing for his second finals, after fulfilling fourth official duties in Qatar 3½ years ago, Ma is growing into his country’s biggest star at the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
China have notoriously failed to reach the tournament since their pointless and scoreless appearance in 2002.
Tiring of being let down by their footballers, supporters have begun hanging their hat on a 46-year-old referee for success.
Granted a send-off by the Chinese Football Association (CFA), alongside fellow USA-bound officials Zhou Fei, the assistant referee, and video assistant referee Fu Ming, Ma said the contingent had “worked hard over the years to show that Chinese referees are capable of standing on the world’s biggest football stage”.
“During the World Cup, we will learn from the world’s best referees and bring those valuable experiences back to China to contribute to the training and development of future referees,” he added. “We will also do our utmost to showcase the quality and professionalism of Chinese officials.”