The world players’ union is pushing for the creation of a footballers’ association in China amid concerns about overdue payments in the burgeoning league.
“Media reports this week revealed several Chinese Super League clubs are falling behind on payments, and FIFPro wishes to ensure that affected players have somewhere to turn to for help,” FIFPro said in a statement.
The Asian Football Confederation has warned clubs across the continent to settle debts to players by August 31 or risk competition bans. The Chinese Football Association reportedly followed up with letters to all but three of the country’s 16 top-flight clubs to raise concerns about outstanding debts on transfers, salaries or bonuses.
Alexandre Pato is one such highly paid foreign player in China. Photo: AFP
FIFPro said overdue payables to players was a global issue, with a survey of 14,000 players in 2016 showing that 41 per cent had experienced unpaid wages or bonuses in the previous two seasons.
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A separate study in Asia in 2015 involving 1,000 players in nine countries showed that a quarter of players had experienced times when their pay was overdue.
