The world of football is not only about players and coaches who make achievements on the gridiron. There is another figure who is no less important in a match, namely the referee. One of the referees who has recently been in the spotlight is Shen Yinhao from China. Shen Yinhao is not a new name in the world of football refereeing. He has started his career as a referee since obtaining his FIFA license in 2018. Since then, he has officiated at various important matches, both at national and international level.
Shen Yinhao's profile
Shen Yinhao was born in Shanghai, China, on November 6 1986. As a referee, he is known for his firm leadership on the field. Throughout his refereeing career, Shen has been involved in several big matches, including the Asian World Cup Qualifiers and the U-23 Asian Cup. But like many other referees, Shen is not free from controversy.
Referee Career
Shen Yinhao started his career as a referee in 2013. His first match was when officiating the match between GD Sunray Cave and CD Blades in the 2012-2013 China League One season. However, his popularity skyrocketed when he obtained a referee's license from the International Football Federation (FIFA) in 2018. Since then, he has officiated several important matches in the world of football.
In 2024, Shen Yinhao is trusted to be the referee in the Asian World Cup Qualifiers. He led the Nepal vs Yemen and Palestine vs Bangladesh matches. In the Nepal vs Yemen match, Shen Yinhao issued three yellow cards. Meanwhile, in Palestine's match against Bangladesh, he issued two yellow cards. During the 2023-2024 season, Shen Yinhao was also appointed as a referee for the AFC Cup, Chinese Super League, as well as the 2024 U23 Asian Cup.
Controversial Moments of the U-23 Asian Cup Semifinal Match Indonesia vs Uzbekistan
One of the controversial moments involving Shen Yinhao was when he officiated the U-23 Asian Cup semifinal match between Indonesia and Uzbekistan. The decisions he made during the match sparked a lot of debate among football fans. Several decisions that were considered detrimental to the Indonesian national team became hot topics on social media and discussion forums.
Here are some striking moments in the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup match Indonesia vs Uzbekistan:
- Shen Yinhao canceled Garuda Muda's goal and did not award a penalty for the foul on Witan Sulaeman.
- The red card given by Shen Yinhao to Rizky Ridho was not supposed to be given.
- Several violations that should have been given to Uzbekistan U-23 players also went unpunished.
- In fact, Shen Yinhao gave a yellow card to the Indonesian U-23 national team coach, Shin Tae-yong.
- His performance in this semifinal match received a lot of criticism from Indonesian football fans, especially on social media.
But controversy does not only occur on the field. Outside of refereeing, Shen was involved in allegations of thesis plagiarism in 2020, which added to the long list of discussions about him. Despite this, Shen Yinhao remains a respected figure in the world of refereeing. His achievements in leading big matches cannot be ignored.
Becoming Duties and Responsibilities
As a referee, Shen Yinhao has a big responsibility in ensuring a fair and sportsmanlike match. This task is not easy, considering that every decision made can have a significant impact on the outcome of the match. Referees must be able to make the right decisions in a short period of time, often under great pressure.
Shen Yinhao, with all his experiences and controversies, reminds us that the role of referees is crucial in football. They are the keepers of the rules, the watchdogs of fair play, and often the most unpopular party on the field. But without them, the game we love wouldn't run properly.
Shen Yinhao's story provides a lesson that every figure in the world of football has their own important role and challenges. Whether as a player, coach or referee, every individual contributes to the dynamics and beauty of the game of football. Shen Yinhao, for all his controversies and achievements, has shown dedication and commitment to his chosen profession. He is an example that behind every match, there are human stories that deserve to be known more deeply.
It is hoped that this article will provide a clearer picture of the figure of Shen Yinhao, a referee who has contributed a lot to the world of football, while also facing the challenges and controversies that have arisen. Hopefully readers can gain wisdom and a better understanding of the roles and challenges faced by referees in the sport of football.
