July 10 2001

China Snub?

Eagles defender Fan Zhiyi has been warned by chairman Simon Jordan to stay at Selhurst Park instead of playing for his country.

The second stage of World Cup qualification for China runs from August to October with a play-off in November.

This will mean that Fan could miss the first quarter of the forthcoming Division One campaign.

Jordan is obviously not happy with that and he has now warned the defender that if he goes it will jeopardise his future at Palace.

Jordan said: "I'm not happy with the situation and there's no way we are going to tolerate Fan missing periods of the season like he did last time.

"Obviously it's an honour for him to be selected, but you have to look at it from the club's point of view.

"We have an excellent central defender that we need in the team, yet he is expected to be missing for long periods of time.

"In April, I sat down with Fan and agreed a new contract with him, one which was significantly better than his old one.

"This was one of the things we discussed at the time. I said then I would not stand for him leaving for long periods of time to play unnecessary games for China.

"We want Fan here. He's an important player and I am thinking about opening a club shop in Shanghai because we have a big presence over there due to him.

"But it's up to Fan to find a solution. He will have to go away and have a think and give me his answer.

"It has a bearing on his future at the club."

Fan missed the final four games of last season when he was selected to represent his country in the first stage of World Cup qualification.