CHINA’S ruling soccer body condemned its Olympic team Friday and vowed “strict” punishment following a mass brawl with London’s Queens Park Rangers (QPR) that forced the match to be abandoned.

Seven Chinese players have been sent home from London following the fracas. Striker Gao Lin was expelled from the team for initiating retort to the rival’s players.

QPR and the English Football Association announced their own investigations into the match last week.

QPR coach Richard Hill is fighting for his job after the club held talks Friday over the brawl.

More than 30 players and members of the coaching staff from both clubs were involved in the brawl that was triggered when Gao lashed out following a tough tackle from a QPR player.

During the fight, Chinese defender Zheng Tao was knocked unconscious and taken to hospital for treatment for a broken jaw.

Meanwhile, China’s media Friday slammed their players for shaming the nation.

Team manager Li Xiaoguang said in a statement Friday: “I would like, on behalf of the team, to make an official apology to all fans supporting our team, as well as to all media friends.”

(SD-Agencies)