By Andrew Warshaw
March 30 – Football may have been forced into the background in war-torn Syria but there was no mistaking the sense of joy after the national team booked a spot in the final phase of Asian World Cup qualifying – despite being thrashed 5-0 by Japan.
March 22 – The promise of the east has lured the might of Manchester United to make their 2016 pre-season tour to China for two games this summer.
March 22 – Manchester City have signed a regional partnership with Chinese firm SoccerWorld to provide better access to facilities and coaches for young Chinese footballers. The agreement is part of the City Football Group’s (CFG) wider ambition to expand its business in China.
March 21 – While Barcelona teammate Neymar is contemplating his €45.9 million fine for tax evasion in Brazil, Lionel Messi – no stranger to multiple tax fraud allegations himself – was signing on another sponsorship deal, this time with Chinese telecoms firm Huawei.
By Andrew Warshaw
March 18 – With symbolic timing in order to send out a clear message of intent, FIFA announced its first major sponsor in the post-Sepp Blatter era today as the Wanda Group became the first Chinese company to sign up as a top-tier World Cup partner.