Recently, China's soccer governing body issued a notice on the policy related to U-23 players in the 2022 season of the professional league, in the new season of the Chinese Super League and the Chinese A League, the participating clubs need to ensure that there is at least one U-23 player present in each match.
In the new season, the Chinese Super League and the Chinese First League will continue to implement the U-23 player rules, requiring clubs to ensure that at least one U-23 player is present in each match. If a player is selected to join the U-23 national team, during the preparation, participation and quarantine period, his club can temporarily exempt from the implementation of the U-23 player rules.
It is worth noting that for players who have been selected for the U-23 national men's soccer team between 2021 and 2022 and join an overseas club on loan or transfer in the 2022 season, their affiliated clubs are likewise exempted from the rules on U-23 player appearances during the period of overseas play and the quarantine period against epidemics after returning to their home countries.
In addition, for clubs that draft more than 2 players for the U-23 national men's soccer team, they can enjoy the multi-player draft compensation policy, i.e., increase the number of enrollments during the transfer registration window period. If more than 4 players are drafted, the Chinese Super League clubs can play up to 3 foreign players at the same time in each match during the draft period, and the Chinese League One clubs can play up to 1 foreign player at the same time.
If a conscripted U-23 player is injured during the period of conscription, the player may return to the club for treatment after being examined by the team doctor of the national team and reported to the HKFA for approval, during which time the player is still considered as a conscripted player. The same applies to U-23 players playing in overseas leagues.
Various Chinese Super League and Chinese First Division clubs:
In order to consolidate the national team reserve talent training, fully prepare for the 19th Asian Games Men's Football Competition in Hangzhou, and take into account the interests of clubs and players, after extensive consultation, we hereby notify you of the following policies related to the U-23 players of the Professional League for the 2022 season:
I. Appearance policy
In the 2022 season of the Chinese Super League and the Chinese First League, each club will keep at least one U-23 player present in each match.
II. Reduction and exemption policy
(i) Selection to national teams
Each Chinese Super League and Chinese First Division club, if any player is selected for the U-23 national men's football team, during the period of preparation, participation and quarantine against epidemics, the club to which he belongs may be temporarily exempted from the implementation of the regulations on the appearance of U-23 players.
(ii) Players playing overseas
Each Chinese Super League (CSL) and Chinese First Division (CA) club, between 2021 and 2022, if any player who has been selected for the U-23 national men's football team and joins an overseas club in the 2022 season is recognized by the Football Association (F.A.A.), the club to which he belongs may be temporarily exempted from the implementation of the regulations on the appearance of the U-23 players during the period of playing overseas and during the quarantine period against epidemics after returning to their home countries.
III. Compensation policy for multi-human recruitment
Each Chinese Super League and Chinese First Division club, which has more than two (inclusive) players drafted by the U-23 national men's soccer team in the 2022 season, can enjoy the multi-draft compensation policy, i.e., increase the number of enrollments during the transfer registration window.
(i) Recruitment of two persons
For each Chinese Super League and Chinese League Club, if two players are called up by the U-23 National Men's Football Team, the total number of simultaneous enrollments of their respective clubs can be increased by one.
(ii) Recruitment of three persons
Each Chinese Super League and Chinese First Division club, if three players are called up by the U-23 national men's soccer team, the total number of simultaneous enrollments of their respective clubs can be increased by two.
(iii) Recruitment of four (or more) persons
Each Chinese Super League club, if it has been called up by the U-23 national men's football team with 4 or more players, its affiliated club can play a maximum of 3 foreign players at the same time in each match during the period of call-up, while the total number of enrollment can be increased by N-1 (e.g., if 4 players are called up, enrollment will be increased by 3 players, if 5 players are called up, enrollment will be increased by 4 players).
For each Central League club, if the number of players called up by the U-23 national men's soccer team is 4 (or more), the club to which it belongs can play a maximum of 1 foreign player per game at the same time during the period of call-up, while the total number of enrollments can be increased by N-1 (e.g., if 4 players are called up, enrollment will be increased by 3, and if 5 players are called up, enrollment will be increased by 4).
IV. Other notes
(i) Injuries (illnesses)
If a U-23 player called up by a club is injured during the period of call-up, the player may return to the club for treatment after being examined by the team doctor of the national team and reported to the Football Association for approval, during which time the player is still considered to be a called-up player. The same applies to U-23 players playing in overseas leagues.
(ii) Early termination of recruitment
If a club's drafted U-23 player leaves the team early during the draft period for reasons other than injury (illness) (including the quarantine period for immunization, failure to participate in training or incomplete participation), the club will no longer be entitled to the reduction policy starting from the next round of the league after the player's departure.
(iii) End of recruitment
If a club's drafted U-23 player leaves the team at the end of the draft period (including the quarantine period against epidemic), the club will no longer be entitled to the reduction policy from the next league round after the player's departure.
(iv) Provisions relating to the CFA Cup competition
The above terms and conditions apply to the 2022 season of the CFA Cup.
Notice is hereby given.
China Football Association (CFA)
April 25, 2022
