Yahoo Sports reports: Chinese football fans left without a national team to support at the World Cup have turned to referee Ma Ning -- nicknamed "Card Master" for his enthusiasm in booking players -- as the country's representative for the tournament.Ma is the only Chinese match referee at the tournament, where he is making his second World Cup appearance, having debuted as a fourth official in Qatar in 2022.
sports | sports | Yahoo Sports | June 9, 2026 6:06 AM
Success-starved China fans adopt 'Card Master' referee as World Cup rep
Chinese football fans left without a national team to support at the World Cup have turned to referee Ma Ning -- nicknamed "Card Master" for his enthusiasm in booking players -- as the country's representative for the tournament.Ma is the only Chinese match referee at the tournament, where he is making his second World Cup appearance, having debuted as a fourth official in Qatar in 2022.
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