Everyone gets tapped up in Chinese Super League, says Hong Kong international Jack Sealy

A week after Chelsea were forced to deny a rumoured offer for their star striker Diego Costa, Hong Kong international Jack Sealy said illegal approaches to top players who are already under contract with other clubs is common in the Chinese Super League.

The 29-year-old said he wouldn’t be surprised to see Lionel Messi playing in China before long such is the appetite for the top stars of Europe in Chinese soccer, despite the Argentinean still being under contract with Barcelona.

‘Tapping up’ is the practice of persuading a player, already contracted to another club, to transfer away without the consent of the player’s club. It is against Fifa regulations for players, their agents or clubs to engage in the practice and sanctions can be tough.

Following a famous tapping-up case involving England defender Ashley Cole in 2005, Chelsea, their manager Jose Mourinho and Cole were handed record fines. Cole’s agent was banned for four months.

Argentinean striker Carlos Tevez, former Chelsea midfielder Oscar and Belgian international Alex Witsel have all transferred to China in recent months, and rumours of the next big-name star to make the move to the Super League emerge daily, often without the knowledge of the player’s club.