Cash-strapped Qingdao FC pulls out of Chinese Super League ahead of 2022 season

Qingdao FC has withdrawn from league over deep financial woes as the new season struggles to secure a launch date, after tough Covid-19 restrictions

‘I need to support my family, pay my mortgage, and now I’m borrowing money to live,’ says Cangzhou Mighty Lions defender Wang Zihao

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Radonjic (left) of Qingdao FC competes for a header with Liu Yang of Cangzhou FC during the 2021 Chinese Super League season. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 9:00pm, 15 Apr 2022Updated: 9:40pm, 15 Apr 2022

Relegated Chinese Super League club Qingdao FC has confirmed it will withdraw from the domestic football league due to deep financial woes.

Just weeks out from the new season, CSL’s ongoing financial troubles continue unabated, with concern among players over unpaid wages reaching breaking point.

A newcomer to the CSL in 2020, Qingdao had struggled over the past two seasons with a shortage of funds and failed to cash in on several sponsorship deals.

In December, several of Qingdao’s senior players threatened to strike after failing to secure overdue salaries. Goalkeeper Zhao Shi has already left the club, signing with Sichuan Jiuniu.

Radonjic (centre) of Qingdao FC competes during the fifth-round Chinese Super League match against Chongqing. Photo: Xinhua

“Considering the problems we are facing and the fact that we cannot carry on, we made the decision to pull out of the Chinese professional football league with great regret,” the club said in a letter submitted to the Qingdao football governing body.

The club had been relegated from the top division after losing to Zhejiang FC 1-0 on aggregate in a two-legged playoff in January.

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