Recently, there have been successive outbreaks of new epidemics in many parts of China, including the cities belonging to a number of operational league salons, which has undoubtedly exacerbated the critical situation of epidemic prevention and control. Although the National Football Association (NFA) and the China Football Association (CFA) are making every effort to promote the preparations for the new Chinese Super League season and are advancing strictly in accordance with the established kick-off timetable of April 23, some cities are not yet in a position to provide the conditions to meet the requirements for saloon teams to play their home matches due to the impact of the epidemic. In the face of this challenge, the National Football Association (NFA) and the Chinese Football League (CFL) have had to make contingency plans for various emergencies, and have even made multi-faceted preparations for the situation in which the "home and away system of the Chinese Super League may not be resumed for the time being".
However, according to the current communication between all parties, the new Chinese Super League season is expected to start on April 23 as scheduled. However, it is likely that the first phase of the league will adopt the match system due to the impact of the epidemic. According to the latest communication between the tournament organizers and related parties, if the new season of the Chinese Super League can start on April 23, the first phase of the tournament will be played in eight rounds at the end of May before the start of the new FIFA International Competition Day cycle. According to the newly formulated "conference system" plan for the first phase of the league, the 18 teams will be divided into three groups and play eight rounds of matches in different cities in different divisions. Whether the home-and-away system can be resumed in subsequent phases will have to be decided in the light of the actual situation of the epidemic and the prevention of epidemics in the country.
Since the plan already contains "continue to use the tournament system" content, the National Football Association, the Central Football League preparatory group for the screening of candidate tournaments is particularly urgent. According to the Beijing Youth Daily reporter, the relevant screening work has been launched in the near future. The preparatory group of CFF has contacted some of the candidate cities and exchanged views on related matters.
Sources familiar with the matter revealed that the selection of candidate tournament zones needs to fulfill several prerequisites. On the one hand, the local government must support the organization of the tournament; on the other hand, it is preferable for the candidate cities to have operational teams, especially Chinese Super League teams, or a more satisfactory development of soccer. More importantly, epidemic prevention and control measures must be in place to ensure the health and safety of tournament participants.
It is reported that at present, Guangzhou, Wuhan, Xi'an, Hangzhou and other cities have entered the scope of investigation of the preparatory group of the National Football Association (NFA) and the Chinese Football League (CFL). Some of these cities have accumulated rich experience in organizing matches under the tournament system, some are in good condition in terms of soccer development, and some have advanced, sufficient and complete hardware conditions such as venue facilities. It is certain that once the first phase of the Chinese Super League adopts the tournament system, the tournament organizers will prepare at least three alternative tournaments. Given that there is now only 1 month left before the scheduled start time, the execution of the work is particularly urgent. Despite the difficulties, the National Football Association (NFA) and the preparatory team of the CFL, from the perspective of protecting the overall interests of domestic professional soccer, guaranteeing the integrity of the schedule, and ensuring the fairness of the game, will strive to complete the 34 rounds of matches in the new season of the Chinese Super League, and to resume the home-and-away system as soon as possible, if the conditions allow.
