But he soon found his passion for soccer was greater, and he now earns his living as a full-time organizer for the Shenzhen fan club. An hour before the game against visiting Sichuan Quanxing, the paramilitary People's Armed Police bring in two busloads of anti-riot soldiers. Police quickly pull out a large awning to protect the players. As play begins, police move about in large groups communicating by walkie-talkie. Within minutes, a fist-fight erupts in the lower stands as a group of Shenzhen supporters finds a Sichuan fan in its midst.
Police move in quickly, and drag the hapless Sichuan fan from the stadium.
Like most games, this one ends without major incident. Still, the tension in the stands is palpable as the teams battle to a scoreless draw. Actually, none of us ever wants to see violence. The rise of hooliganism has to be set against the phenomenally successful growth of professional soccer in China. In the seventh season, which began in March, there are 26 teams competing in two leagues before an average of 25,000 fans at each match.