By Paul Nicholson
January 16 – After a number of government warnings, the Chinese Football Association (CFA) has confirmed that it is stepping in to end the gravy train of European-based players’ big money transfers to Chinese Super League clubs.
From 2017 Chinese clubs will only be allowed to play three foreign players – a restriction that includes players from other Asian (AFC) countries. Previously the rule was “4+1” – four foreigners of any nationality plus one Asian player in a matchday squad.
Chinese Super League teams will also have to include two Chinese players aged under 23 in their matchday squads in 2017, with at least one in the starting line-up.
The CFA crackdown is also extending to player wages and the management of the operation of clubs. In a statement on its website the CFA that dues to “irrational investment” it will clampdown on high pay, transfer fees and player compensation and “will introduce a series of measures and initiatives to regulate the operation and management of the club”.
As part of the regulation clubs will now face third-party audits of their share structures, any sales of ownership as well as being required to follow a “standardized club financial system”.
The CFA wants its Super League clubs to trade independently of cash influxes from rich owners “and enhance their management and operational capabilities to ensure long-term stable development of the professional league for the Chinese football to make a positive contribution.”
The speed with which China wants to change its football trading relationship with the rest of the world is rapid and will take place this season. This leaves a number of clubs already with too many overseas players.
In early January Chinese authorities rebuked the country’s leading clubs for “burning money” in their signing of foreign stars to the detriment of local talent.
The latest rumours of a big money move to China have surrounded Chelsea’s want-away striker Diego Costa. The latest ruling may test the resolve of the CFA who want to put a stop to extravagant spending and government concern
Most reently Oscar and Carlos Tevez made headlines worldwide – the former moving to Shanghai SIPG for €60 million, the latter to Shanghai Shenhua on a reported world-record salary of €38 million per season. Shenhua now have six foreign players in their squad.
Costa has been linked with a move to Tianjin Quanjian, who have only just signed Belgium midfielder Alex Witsel on a £15 million a year salary.]
The language used by the CFA following the meeting of its body that oversees the Chinese Super League mirrors that of the General Administration of Sport said on its website earlier this month that action had to be taken against “irrational investment” and that the government would “regulate and restrain high-priced signings and make reasonable restrictions on players’ high incomes.”
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