Super League replacement strategy up in the air due to complexity
With Chongqing Liangjiang Athletic Club announcing its withdrawal from the Chinese Super League (CSL) and suspending the team's operations, the CSL organizers, the Chinese Football Association (CFA) and the CSL Preparatory Group, immediately convened an emergency meeting to discuss countermeasures.
According to Beijing Youth Daily reported on the 25th, in order to maintain 18 teams in the season of the Chinese Super League, the replacement program has been roughly finalized. Originally down to the Dalian People's Club of the Central League as the first choice of replacement object, strong will, the organizers are also inclined to agree to its replacement, the relevant process has been initiated. However, the replacement mechanism of the Central A and B leagues is still under discussion due to the complexity of the issue.
Singular team entry raises competition concerns
On May 24, Chongqing Two Rivers Athletic Club announced its withdrawal from the Chinese Super League, leaving only 17 teams in the competition. As there were less than two weeks before the start of the new season and the other teams had been allocated to different league groups in accordance with the notification and draw results, the organizers had considered not handing over teams.
However, if only 17 teams participate, one team will be left out of each round of matches, affecting the fair competition of the league. Such a move could tarnish the image of the Chinese Super League and jeopardize the interests of fans and business partners.
Strong willingness of the Dalian People's Club to substitute
Against this background, the organizers proposed to substitute a team. Although this proposal may trigger a chain reaction, after discussion, the organizers basically agreed. The specific details of the replacement program, such as replacement to the Central League A and Central League B, need to be further implemented.
It is understood that the Dalian People's Club, as a replacement, has expressed a strong willingness to do so. The organizers also contacted them in time to confirm this willingness.
Central A and B replacement program to be determined
At present, the program for Dalian People's Club to pass to the Chinese Super League is relatively simple. However, the replacement program for the Central League A and Central League B is still under discussion, due to the different foreign aid policies in different levels of the league and the transfer window has been closed. The clubs that are upgraded by replacement may have shortcomings in their staffing, affecting the fairness of the league.
In addition, FIFA has asked the CFA to ban Dalian from attracting reinforcements for reasons related to personnel contract disputes. In the current operating environment of professional soccer, all-Chinese teams playing may become the norm.
Despite the withdrawal of Chongqing Two Rivers Athletic from the Chinese Super League, most clubs are still actively preparing for the campaign. The start of the new Chinese Super League season is highly anticipated.
