Taiwan coach apologises for 'pressuring' students to give blood

Students pressurised to donate blood for 'spiritual cleansing'

Coach says he is 'deeply sorry' for his 'misunderstanding'

A high school basketball coach in Taiwan has apologised after pressuring students to give blood, saying he is sorry for his 'misunderstanding'.

Lin Yi-feng led a group of students from Chung Yuan Christian University in a campaign to donate blood, which he said was to 'cleanse the impurities of democracy' and bring about 'spiritual cleansing'.

The students were reportedly given detention if they did not attend the blood drive, and those who attended were praised and rewarded.

The case has sparked controversy in Taiwan, with many saying the coach's actions were reminiscent of the White Terror period under martial law, which was enforced by the KMT party from the 1950s until the 1980s.

The blood drive was called off after the university intervened, and Lin issued an apology on Wednesday.

"I am deeply sorry for my misunderstanding at the beginning, and I deeply apologise for the concerns and annoyance caused to the students, parents and teachers," he said.

The case has been forwarded to the Taoyuan City Government's education department for further investigation.