In the afternoon of July 27th, the preparatory team of the Chinese Professional Football League (CPFL) urgently summoned representatives of all clubs to a meeting on the online platform for the deployment of the second phase of the Chinese Super League (CSL). At the end of the meeting, it was officially announced that the second phase of the Chinese Super League will be opened on August 5th. It is worth mentioning that, after announcing that the second phase of the season will restart the home and away system, 11 clubs, including Guangzhou, Guangzhou City, Meizhou Hakka, Shandong Taishan, Wuhan Three Towns, Wuhan Yangtze River, Chengdu Rongcheng, Henan Songshan Longmen, Zhejiang, Dalian People and Changchun Yatai, have confirmed that they will be able to return to the home field.
The preparatory group had requested feedback from the Chinese Super League clubs on the return of their home field by July 20, but due to the complexity of the approval process, some clubs' applications are still on the way. Up to now, Shanghai Harbour, Shanghai Shenhua, Cangzhou Lions, Beijing Guoan, Tianjin Jinmen Tigers and Hebei have not yet received permission to return to their home field, while the return of Shenzhen is still pending. Shenhua club has submitted a request to the Football Association for a home ground of its choice and is expected to move to Dalian for the match; Seaport club will follow the unified arrangement and go to Haikou with other teams without a home ground.
The preparatory group yesterday further clarified that teams traveling to third-party venues will have their participation fees first advanced by the CPL company and then deducted directly from the clubs' dividends at the end of the season. At the same time, the preparatory group said that the clubs that are currently unable to return to the local area can re-apply for the return of the home field during the season. This means that, under the premise of the local government's consent, the club can apply at any time, and the application can be officially returned to the home field after two weeks.
The meeting also revealed some of the matchups for the 11th round of the Chinese Super League, such as Guangzhou City hosting Wuhan Sanzhen, Shandong Taishan "away" in Haikou to challenge Tianjin Jinmen Tiger, Chengdu Rongcheng hosting Hebei, and Beijing Guoan "hosting" Henan Mt. Dragon Gate. Regarding the arrangement of future fixtures, the preparatory team will follow the principles of epidemic prevention, fair competition, weather and other principles to make detailed arrangements. (Photo/CFA)
