Chinese soccer fans adopted a referee as their national hero

Ma Ning has become an unlikely superstar in a country where the national soccer team has failed to qualify for the World Cup since 2002. Known for his uncompromising officiating, the 46 year old referee earned the nickname Card Master after a single match in 2015 where he issued nine yellow cards and three red cards. In the absence of players to cheer for, Chinese fans have embraced Ma as their primary representative on the global stage.