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Agence France-Presse

China’s Jiangsu FC have withdrawn from the AFC Champions League following their financial collapse, officials said on Thursday, in another sign they are on the brink of being disbanded.
Jiangsu won the Chinese Super League for the first time in November, but ceased operations last month after their struggling owners pulled the plug.
The shock news provoked hand-wringing about the state of football in China, and prompted calls for a major rethink from top to bottom.
Their Champions League exit comes after Chinese FA Cup winners Shandong Taishan – formerly known as Shandong Luneng – were booted out of Asia’s top club tournament in February after breaking rules related to finances.
Jiangsu FC: from Gareth Bale to bailout, Chinese football dream dies with Suning era
The Asian Football Confederation said the Chinese FA had confirmed Jiangsu’s withdrawal from the tournament.
South Korea’s Pohang Steelers and Thailand’s Ratchaburi now advance automatically to group G, avoiding a play-off, it added.
Concerns for Inter Milan as Suning to ‘focus on retail’
The centralised matches for group G will take place in Thailand from June 21 to July 7.
The east zone group games, including teams from China, Japan, Australia and South Korea, were last week delayed to June and July, from original dates in April, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The west zone matches, comprising mostly Middle Eastern sides, will go ahead as planned next month.


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AFC Champions League

Chinese Super League: Jiangsu FC exit AFC Champions League after collapse

Chinese champions Jiangsu FC are facing dissolution after their owners pulled the plug on funding. Photo: AFP

Jiangsu FC: from Gareth Bale to bailout, Chinese football dream dies with Suning era

Jiangsu Suning's Alex Teixeira (left) and teammate Eder celebrate winning the Chinese Super League final against Guangzhou Evergrande in November, 2020. The club have “ceased operations”. Photo: AFP

Tottenham's Gareth Bale celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal during an English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Burnley at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, Sunday, Feb. 28. 2021. (Daniel Leal Olivas/Pool via AP)

(FILES) This file photo taken on November 12, 2020 shows Jiangsu Suning players and staff members celebrating after their team defeated Guangzhou Evergrande to win the Chinese Super League (CSL) football championship in Suzhou in China's eastern Jiangsu province. - Chinese Super League champions Jiangsu FC have "ceased operations", the club said on February 28, 2021, underlining the financial problems coursing through football in the country. (Photo by STR / AFP) / - China OUT

(FILES) This file photo taken on November 12, 2020 shows Jiangsu Suning's head coach Cosmin Olaroiu (C) celebrating after their team defeated Guangzhou Evergrande to win the Chinese Super League (CSL) football championship in Suzhou in China's eastern Jiangsu province. - Three months after winning the Chinese Super League for the first time, Jiangsu FC, previously known as Jiangsu Suning, are unravelling amid reports of financial difficulties, the loss of their coach and a possible player exodus. (Photo by STR / AFP)

Inter Milan doubt as Suning call time on Chinese champions Jiangsu FC

Jiangsu Suning players celebrate with the Chinese Super League trophy in November, 2020. The club has ceased operations, owners Suning said. Photo: Xinhua

Sport

Football

China


Withdrawal from regional competition looks like final nail in the coffin of Chinese champions



Withdrawal from regional competition looks like final nail in the coffin of Chinese champions.


Chinese Super League

Chinese Super League: Jiangsu FC exit AFC Champions League after collapse

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;} Withdrawal from regional competition looks like final nail in the coffin of Chinese champions

Withdrawal from regional competition looks like final nail in the coffin of Chinese champions