The Chinese soccer world is in turmoil, with a storm of investigations sweeping over the Football Association (FA) president Chen Xuyuan, who is suspected of violating disciplinary laws. Looking back on his three and a half years at the helm of Chinese soccer, controversy and criticism followed him. A series of policy initiatives not only hit Chinese soccer hard, but also pushed it into the abyss.
Chen Xuyuan's push for public service soccer has suffered a major setback in the neutral name policy. Although he intended to learn from mature international leagues, his decision sparked widespread skepticism in the face of the epidemic and the league's plight. The neutral name policy has become a nightmare for the Chinese Super League, with 35 professional clubs opting out.
Sacrificing the interests of the league and supporting Li Tie, another decision of Chen Xuyuan is highly controversial. He ignored the league's plight and forced Li Tie to undergo a long period of closed-door training, which resulted in the national soccer team's performance falling short of standards and the league's interests being similarly jeopardized.
The epidemic is raging, the economic situation is worrying, but Chen Xuyuan forced the expansion of the army to 18 teams. This move, although a moment of glory, but for the Super League buried the hidden danger of dissolution. Expansion of a year later, the Football Association may again downsizing, become the laughing stock of Chinese soccer.
Shanghai Seaport benefits from controversial adjustment fee policy. Chen Xuyuan's transfer from Shanghai Seaport to the Football Association has resulted in a change in the neutral name of the seaport. In the face of a huge adjustment fee, the seaport was exempted from paying it, prompting questions about fairness.
Frequent restrictions on wages and investment, and strict limits on foreign aid, Chen Xuyuan's policies have led to a decline in the league's vitality and a loss of investment in national soccer. In three and a half years, five "crimes" have plunged Chinese soccer into the doldrums.
Chen Xuyuan has been in office for just over 1,300 days, and his "crimes" have already dealt a major blow to Chinese soccer. Now, the investigation clouds rise again, whether Chinese soccer can usher in a turnaround, worth our expectation.
