The Belgium international, who was one of the high-profile figures to move to Asia during the winter transfer window, was callously stamped on during a meeting with Shanghai Shenhua.
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Witsel was lining up to defend a corner during the first half of a CSL fixture when he was sent tumbling to the turf.
Shanghai midfielder Qin Sheng was the man to leave him in a heap after taking issue with a jostle for position.
The match officials were quick to spot the incident and brandish a red card, but Tianjin failed to make the most of their numerical advantage and required an 85th-minute leveller from Witsel to secure a 1-1 draw.
