More pain for Chinese Super League clubs as CFA prepares to implement 18-point plan to clean up the game’s image
Chinese clubs are set to be hit with a new raft of regulations aimed at cleaning up the league’s image
Chinese soccer clubs are set to be hit with a further blow next week when a raft of regulations aimed at cleaning up the league’s image is brought in as a part of sweeping changes hastily introduced by the governing body.
The measures were discussed yesterday at the 10th session of the Chinese Football Association in Wuhan, Hubei province.
Yu Hongchan, executive director of the CFA, said the measures would be introduced to “fight against irrational consumption and to clean up the image of the Chinese Super League.”
Both transfer fees were thought to be well over the players’ market value, with Hulk’s transfer a 50 per cent increase on what Zenit paid FC Porto for the forward in 2012, while Chelsea received almost double what they paid Brazilian club Internacional for Oscar in 2012.
It also suggested the implementation of a “financial fair play” system similar to that used across Europe.
In 2009, Uefa introduced its financial fair play regulations in order to prevent clubs spending more than they earn and to improve the financial health of clubs. Contravention of the FFP rules can lead to stiff penalties including fines, transfer embargoes and exclusion from continental competition.
Part of the reforms also focus on standardising the level of stadiums and training bases throughout the league.
The full 18-point programme will be announced next week, with “severe punishment” being warned for any instances of non-compliance.