As we all know, the anti-corruption storm in soccer is gradually advancing to the critical point of review, prosecution and even judgment. This not only involves the future direction of the CFA and the Chinese Super League, but may also have additional legal consequences for many players, coaches and even teams. As the anti-corruption efforts deepen, the landscape of the Chinese Super League is showing a unique phenomenon.
The first ten rounds of the Chinese Super League (CSL) have come to an end, with Shanghai SIPG leading the table with 8 wins and 2 draws after the first one-third of the season. Chengdu Rongcheng follows with a six-point lead over the second-place team. If these two teams can continue their winning ways in the next round of direct confrontation, it seems that this season's championship battle has been previewed in advance.
This result came as a surprise, with fans expecting Shanghai SIPG, as the former owner of former player Chen Xuyuan, to be affected with the arrest of his former player. However, Shanghai SIPG bounced back from the adversity and not only signed Henan's Javier, but also recalled Oscar, making the team lineup unique in the Chinese Super League.
Especially at a time when traditional powerhouses such as Wuhan Sanzhen and Shandong Taishan are suffering, Shanghai SIPG is aiming for its second Chinese Super League title in the team's history with the luxurious reinforcements in recent seasons. Even this current Shanghai SIPG squad is competitive in the new season's AFC Champions League.
However, the impact of the soccer anti-corruption case on the Chinese Super League is not yet clear. No one knows who will be implicated. The People's Daily has made it clear that whoever is involved will be subjected to thorough scrutiny. Once the verdict is in, if a Chinese Super League team is involved, they will surely face additional sanctions from the CFA.
For Shanghai SIPG, the primary goal at the moment is to accumulate as many points as possible and even hopefully lock up the title early. Based on the performance in the first ten rounds, Shanghai SIPG could win the title within four to five rounds before the end of the season. Of course, it is also hoped that other teams will be able to stop SIPG's meteoric rise and maintain the suspense of the competition in the Chinese Super League.
