Six Chinese under-19 internationals have been banned from playing for six months and forced to write self-criticism essays after flouting coronavirus prevention rules to go drinking late at night, AFP reported.

Three of the players, Ren Lihao, Liu Zhurun and Peng Hao, have had their wages suspended by their club Shanghai SIPG, the former Chinese Super League champions said.

“It was a severe violation of the team's epidemic control regulations and negatively affected the whole team,” Xinhua news agency quoted the CFA as saying.

The players will also not be allowed to feature for the national team at any level during their ban.

Under-19 head coach Cheng Yaodong told Monday's Soccer News: “We used the harshest language at the time, gave them a dressing-down and said a lot of harsh words.”