Chinese Super League champions Jiangsu out of new season, CFA confirms

Tianjin Tigers given last-minute reprieve while relegated Cangzhou Mighty Lions return to Chinese Super League

Six teams drop out of Chinese Football Association leagues, down on 16 ahead of last season

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Jiangsu Suning players and staff pose with the 2020 Chinese Super League trophy. Photo: AFP

Published: 12:31pm, 30 Mar 2021Updated: 12:37pm, 30 Mar 2021

A total of six clubs, headlined by Chinese Super League champions Jiangsu FC, have officially been disqualified from Chinese football ahead of the new season, officials confirmed on Monday.

The Chinese Football Association had delayed confirming the clubs for the new season, which is set to start in April, missing its own deadline as the teams moved to prove their ability to fund the campaign.

Suning-owned Jiangsu are the most high-profile casualty, with the club announcing it had ceased operations last month.

Hopes that another owner could come in and save the champions have been extinguished with the announcement that they are not eligible for this season.

Jiangsu Suning players celebrate winning the Chinese Super League after beating Guangzhou Evergrande in the final of the 2020 season last November. Photo: Xinhua

All of Jiangsu’s players are now free agents, the CFA confirmed, with several having already found new clubs.

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