AC Milan Europa League ban overturned but Chinese ex-owner Li Yonghong’s soft power grab leaves lasting damage
Mysterious businessman Li Yonghong forced out by US hedge fund, but AC Milan face struggles despite Court for Arbitration of Sport overturning Europa League suspension
The Fifa World Cup has been called a success for the Chinese companies that sponsored the tournament but while everyone has been focusing on Russia, further West it has been a disastrous few weeks in terms of China’s soft power in football.
Premier League side Arsenal were the latest to fall foul of false hope and broken promises from the Far East.
A truly bewildering tale came out of Shanghai that casts serious doubt over the London club’s partnership with electric vehicle giant BYD Auto.
Apparently, the deal was signed by a fraudster rather than a company employee and it only took three months for this to come to light. Clearly the global media coverage at the time didn’t make the BYD press office.
Some are speculating the company has got cold feet and the “fraud” is a convenient way to renege on a deal that might not look like great value for money but whatever the truth – or whatever version of the truth we’re given later – Arsenal have been made to look as hapless in the boardroom as they are on the pitch.