The Chinese Super League has reached the end of its second half, with Shanghai Port consolidating their lead with a big win, bringing the difference between them and Shanghai Shenhua to 14 points. With nine rounds of fixtures remaining, the trophy seems to be in Shanghai Port's hands as long as they can hold their ground.
Although Shanghai Port is on the verge of winning the championship, the future of Hong Kong soccer is overshadowed. Recently, the controversial foul committed by Zhang Lin in the match between Shanghai Harbour and Tian Jin Men Hu sparked off a wide discussion, and there was even so-called inside information leaked out.
According to a report on social media platforms by Li Xuan, a reporter from Soccer Daily, who traveled on the same plane as a Shanghai Port team reporter, the team has some internal problems. Meanwhile, Shanghai Port Group has also experienced a personnel earthquake and the team may face major changes in the off-season. Some fans are even worried whether the team will follow in the footsteps of the Soviet Union, which disbanded after winning the championship.
Among the Chinese Super League powers, Shanghai Port is considered one of the few teams that do not owe wages. Previously, Xie Hui drunkenly revealed that Shanghai Port invested 12 billion yuan to strive to win the championship, and has become a representative of the Chinese Super League gold dollar soccer. If Shanghai Port Group loses interest in soccer investment after the personnel change, the future is worrying.
Chen Xuyuan was the chairman of Shanghai Port Group, leading the team towards gold dollar soccer. Now that Chen Xuyuan has been arrested, there is no word on whether the case involves Shanghai Port.
In this case, even if Shanghai Seaport sits at the top of the table, will they be able to bring back the Super League trophy this season? I am no longer sure in my mind. As the trial of the soccer anti-corruption case draws near, everything will be revealed as to how many teams and how many players have been sentenced. It is foreseeable that as long as the team can continue to play in the Chinese Super League next season, its future seems to be promising.
