Opinion | Ambitious owner Jiang Lizhang apologises for not signing Andres Iniesta but rules have led to sorry state of Chinese Super League
Success at Serie A-bound Parma and bold goals for Granada suggest that Chongqing Lifan project would have legs if lawmakers eased up on restrictions
Last week Andres Iniesta pulled on his first club football shirt that wasn’t branded with Barcelona’s badge, although it did share the same number on the back and sponsor across the chest.
Within hours of his unveiling in Tokyo, disappointed Chongqing Lifan boss Jiang Lizhang was at his own press conference where he apologised for not completing the signing of the Spanish schemer.
“We expected to take Chongqing Lifan to a new level,” he said.
“In July of last year, I brought Iniesta to Chongqing and he was preparing the groundwork for his move.
“I was very much looking forward to this happening, but it was not possible and I’m sorry, just like everyone else.”
This was revealing as it was at odds with the statement put out by the club earlier in the month where they distanced themselves from a move for Iniesta, carefully refuting media reports.