China's soccer governing body recently officially released a notice on policies related to U-23 players in the 2022 professional league season, making detailed provisions on the appearance regulations for U-23 players in the new season of the Chinese Super League and the Chinese League.
According to the notice, clubs in the Chinese Super League and Chinese League One must ensure that at least one U-23 player is present in each match in the new season. If a U-23 player is called up to the national team, the club can temporarily suspend the playing policy during the national team training, participation and quarantine against epidemics.
For players who have been selected for the U-23 national men's soccer team between 2021 and 2022 and who play for an overseas club in the 2022 season through a loan or transfer, their clubs may also temporarily waive the U-23 player appearance policy during the player's overseas stint and during the quarantine period after his return from quarantine.
In addition, in the case of clubs drafting U-23 national men's soccer players, if the drafted players exceed two, the relevant clubs can enjoy the multi-draft compensation policy, i.e., increase the number of enrollments during the transfer registration window.
If the number of drafted players reaches four or more, the Chinese Super League club can play a maximum of three foreign players and the Chinese League One club can play a maximum of one foreign player in each match during the drafted player period.
If a U-23 player is injured (sick) during the period of call-up, the player returns to the club after being examined by the national team doctor and reported to the Football Association for approval, and is still considered to be a called-up player until the injury (illness) is cured. This rule also applies to U-23 players playing in overseas leagues.
Various Chinese Super League and Chinese First Division clubs:
In order to strengthen the training of reserve talents of the national team and fully prepare for the 19th Asian Games Men's Football Competition in Hangzhou, and at the same time take into account the interests of the clubs and players, after research and extensive consultation, the policies related to the U-23 players of the Professional League for the 2022 season are hereby notified as follows:
I. Appearance policy
For the 2022 season of the Chinese Super League and Chinese League One, clubs should keep at least one U-23 player on the field at all times for each game.
II. Reduction and exemption policy
(i) Selection to national teams
Each Chinese Super League and Chinese First Division club, if any player is selected for the U-23 national men's football team, during the team's preparation for training, participation and quarantine against epidemics, the relevant clubs may not implement the policy of U-23 players' appearance.
(ii) Players playing overseas
Each Chinese Super League and Chinese First Division club, between 2021 and 2022, if there is a player who has been selected for the U-23 national men's football team and goes to play for an overseas club in the 2022 season by way of loan or transfer, the club may not implement the policy of U-23 players' appearance during the period of the player's overseas playing and the quarantine period for prevention of epidemics after the player returns to the country after the determination of the Football Association.
III. Compensation policy for multi-human recruitment
If each Chinese Super League and Chinese First Division club has more than two (inclusive) players drafted by the U-23 national men's soccer team in the 2022 season, the relevant clubs will be entitled to the Multiple Drafting Compensation Policy (N-1).
Increases in enrollment should be processed during the transfer registration window.
(i) Recruitment of two persons
For each Chinese Super League and Chinese First Division club, if two players are called up by the U-23 national men's soccer team, the total number of simultaneous enrollments for the relevant club may be increased by one.
(ii) Recruitment of three persons
For each Chinese Super League and Chinese First Division club, if three players are called up by the U-23 national men's soccer team, the total number of simultaneous enrollments for the relevant club may be increased by two.
(iii) Recruitment of four (or more) persons
For each Chinese Super League club, if the number of players called up by the U-23 national men's football team is four (or more), the relevant club will play a maximum of three foreign players at the same time during the period of call-up of players (including the quarantine period against the epidemic) for each match against the club.
At the same time, the total number of simultaneous enrollments for the club in question may be increased by N-1 (e.g., if 4 people are called up, enrollment is increased by 3, if 5 people are called up, enrollment is increased by 4).
For each Central League club, if the number of players called up by the U-23 national men's football team is four (or more), the relevant club will play a maximum of one foreign player at the same time during the period of call-up of players (including the quarantine period against the epidemic) for each match against the club.
At the same time, the total number of simultaneous enrollments for the club in question may be increased by N-1 (e.g., if 4 are called up, enrollment is increased by 3, if 5 are called up, enrollment is increased by 4).
IV. Other notes
(i) Injuries (illnesses)
If a U-23 player drafted by a club suffers an injury (illness) during the draft period, the player will return to the club after being examined by the national team doctor and reported to the FA for approval, and will still be regarded as a drafted player until the injury (illness) is cured.
This clause applies to U-23 players who play in overseas leagues as recognized by the Football Association.
(ii) Early termination of recruitment
If a club's drafted U-23 player leaves the team early during the draft period for reasons other than injury (illness) (including quarantine period, failure to participate in training or incomplete participation), the club will not be entitled to the reduction policy from the next round of the league after the player's departure.
(iii) End of recruitment
If a club's drafted U-23 player leaves the team at the end of the draft period (including the quarantine period for prevention of disease), the club will no longer be entitled to the reduction policy from the next league round after the player's departure.
(iv) Provisions relating to the FA Cup competition
The above terms and conditions apply to the 2022 FA Cup season.
Notice is hereby given.
China Football Association (CFA)
April 25, 2022
