China's leading striker Gao Lin may receive a fine from his Chinese Super League (CSL) club for not being selected into the national team.
Gao's name was missing from the national team roster released on Tuesday when Frenchman Alain Perrin announced a 23-strong squad for the World Cup qualifier against Qatar next month.
According to Perrin, the Guangzhou Evergrande striker is "the best in China" but he found the 29-year-old lacked morale and willingness.
Gao has been a regular in the national team, scoring 18 times in more than 80 caps.
The absence from the national team may bring a possible fine of 200,000 yuan (about 31,000 U.S. dollars) to Gao as the Chinese league champion said in its Eight Regulations on China Internationals in Evergrande that any China international who is not called up by the national team again due to their lack of efforts will be fined for 200,000 yuan.
Gao has been an important part of the Guangzhou club since its promotion to the CSL in 2011. Evergrande lifted the top tier league title in the same year and went on to win another three CSL crowns.
As Evergrande keeps a slim lead after 26th round this season, Gao leads the Chinese scorers with 12 goals and ranks 7th in the scorer standings.
Gao was banned for five matches in July by the Chinese Football Association (CFA) for "misconduct towards the football fans".
In the match between Evergrande and Liaoning Whowin on July 18, Gao celebrated with face-slapping gestures towards football fans after his second goal in the 73rd minute.
After the match, he threw his shoes towards the football fan who insulted his family.
