China's record goalscorer jumped to the defense yesterday of Yu Hanchao after champions Guangzhou Evergrande sacked the international winger for altering his Mercedes number plate.
Hao Haidong, who hit 40 goals in 106 games for China, accused Evergrande Group's billionaire chairman Xu Jiayin of "treating players like tools".
Yu is at the center of controversy after Guangzhou, coached by Fabio Cannavaro, dismissed him on Tuesday after footage emerged of him changing an E to an F on his number plate.
It was unclear why the 33-year-old altered his plate, but reports have speculated he was trying to evade traffic restrictions limiting drivers based on their license numbers.
Yu, who has been capped 59 times by China, faces 15 days in police custody and the Beijing News said his international career could be over.
State media accused Yu of giving Chinese football a bad name, but former striker Hao wrote on Weibo: "Please have some respect for labor laws, Yu Hanchao's behavior wasn't that bad to be sacked."
Above a picture of Evergrande chairman Xu shaking Yu's hand, the outspoken Hao, 49, added: "And don't treat your football players like tools."
Gao Lin, another player capped more than 100 times by China, also weighed in on Yu's behalf. "He shouldn't have done it but he did and accepted the punishment," said Gao. "We should forgive him and encourage him to behave better in future."
However, state media was far less forgiving.
"Acts prohibited by law are a red line for any citizen and cannot be crossed," Xinhua news agency said. "Illegal and criminal acts are untouchable high-voltage lines."
