Economic woes taking toll on Chinese clubs
Economic woes are taking a toll on China’s professional clubs, with 11 being disqualified for failing to pay wages and five closing shop on their own, including last season’s Chinese Super League side Tianjin Tianhai.
Low attendance and gaudy contracts for overseas signings were already weighing heavily on the industry, even before the coronavirus outbreak forced it into total shutdown. Of the suspended clubs four are from the second division and seven from the third division. The five others have been struggling with financial woes and decided to disband on their own. Tianjin Tianhai withdrew on May 12 amid heavy debts, only three seasons after former World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro guided it into the AFC Champions League. Xinhua News Agency quoted Chinese Football Association head Chen Xuyuan as saying “clubs can barely achieve sustainable development. The owners have invested a lot but earn little back.” In an announcement on Saturday, the CFA said that it hoped clubs could “pay attention to long-term planning and rational management” and protect the interests of players, coaches and staff. The CSL will continue to comprise 16 teams, with formerly relegated Shenzhen FC promoted to take Tiajin’s place. It still remains unclear when the postponed 2020 season will restart.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
- RSS
- |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证:沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证:31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证:0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证:沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证:沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.