Former NBA player Guerschon Yabusele was fined for praying before a Chinese Basketball Association game during the country’s national anthem, according to FaithWire.
- Yabusele did not salute the Chinese national flag during the anthem. A photo showed him bowing his head during the anthem, according to The Global Times.
- Yabusele received a $1,420 fine for his actions.
Punishment: Yabusele received a heavy warning. But jail sentences aren’t out of the picture for people who disrespect the Chinese national anthem:
- Per TMZ Sports, “showing any sort of disrespect to the national anthem has major consequences in China — a law was passed in 2017 that made it a crime, which carries a maximum 3-year jail sentence.
Apology: Yabusele apologized immediately after what happened, according to FaithWire.
- “I have the same routine, I’ve been doing this my whole career and I wanted to apologize for the people that took it personally because it was not my point,” Yabusele said.
“I will show my respect during the Chinese national anthem and keep my head up for now on. Love you guys.”
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The other side: Per CNN, “Players in the NBA and other American sports leagues will often bow their heads and close their eyes during the U.S. national anthem.”