Japan striker suspended for injuring teammate

12 December 2011 13:17

Japan international striker Genki Haraguchi has been suspended from activities at his J-League club Urawa Reds for a week after injuring a teammate in a scuffle on a training ground.

The 20-year-old kicked defender Takuya Okamoto when they were separated by a coach after getting into a shoving match after training at a facility in Urawa, the club said on its website.

Okamoto, 19, dislocated his left shoulder.

The fight broke out when Okamoto, apparently jokingly, kicked a ball point-blank at Haraguchi as about 100 Urawa supporters looked on.

Haraguchi pinned Okamoto down after chasing him for two minutes and catching him, according to media reports.

Apart from his suspension, "we have called on all the players to be aware of their status as professional players," the club said.

Haraguchi scored nine goals for Urawa in the March-December J-League season and made his international debut in the 1-0 friendly win over Vietam at home in October.

Source: AFP