January 20 – The Chinese FA is set introduce a €30 million transfer cap on foreign players as part of an 18-point plan designed to take some of the overheating out of a Chinese soccer market where money seems to have become no object.
Clubs that want to break that cap will be hit with a ‘transfer tax’ with that tax money being channelled into a “football development fund” to be used within academies throughout the league.
The Chinese FA had already announced this month, in what was a surprise for Chinese Super League clubs, that it was reducing the number of foreigners allowed to play. A maximum of three will be permitted to take the field per game when the new season starts in March. Clubs will still be able to register five foreign players (including players from other Asian countries) on their overall rosters. One under 23 player of Chinese nationality will have to start every game.
Further crackdowns include a curb on so-called “yin-yang contracts, signature fees and other illegal activities”. Yin-yang contracts refers to under-the-table agreements where buyers and sellers understate the value of assets to avoid tax.
The 18-point plan is expected to be announced by the CFA next week. The measures have been discussed this week at the 10th session of the Chinese Football Association in Wuhan, Hubei province.
Included in the CFA vision of the future for football in the country is some kind of financial fair play criteria that clubs will be expected to meet.
One thing is certain, the big money transfers of players like Oscar to Shanghai SIPG from Chelsea for a reported €60 million look to have ended.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1714113633labto1714113633ofdlr1714113633owedi1714113633sni@n1714113633osloh1714113633cin.l1714113633uap1714113633
