Category Archives: Football

Is Xi Jinping’s love of soccer a double-edged sword?

There’s a particular official within Chinese soccer circles who has developed a habit of starting each press conference or meeting with the words “I don’t know anything about football, but…” The intent is clear: if (when) this all goes south (again), it’s not my fault.

Xi Jinping at Croke Park in Feb 2012
Xi Jinping at Croke Park in Feb 2012

The state’s control of Chinese football is a large reason for its poor performance over the years: what is needed is a long-term plan, but Chinese officialdom rewards short-term thinking.

Having a man in charge of the country who loves the game would appear to be a positive, but this week’s Sports Talk column looks at how Chinese President Xi Jinping’s love of soccer may not actually be such a good thing for the sport after all…

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CSL fires another blank with dud deal

For all the back-slapping about the CSL’s new title sponsor – a four-year deal with Ping An Insurance worth 150 million per year – in reality it’s just the latest in a long list of short-sighted moves by Chinese football authorities.

pingan Continue reading CSL fires another blank with dud deal

Sports round-up: CSL, surfing, golf, tennis and the invisible Paralympics

The Chinese Super League season kicked off this past weekend, and goals were few and far between. Ominously, though, the top of the table is already occupied by Guangzhou Evergrande…

Darci Liu, China's first female pro surfer
Darci Liu, China’s first female pro surfer

That’s Online (also in the print versions) has a nice profile of Darci Liu, China’s first and so far only female professional surfer, who, amazingly, only learnt to swim at the age of 18:  Continue reading Sports round-up: CSL, surfing, golf, tennis and the invisible Paralympics

Carson Yeung jailed for six years

Hong Kong hairdresser-turned-businessman and Birmingham City owner Carson Yeung Ka-sing was sentenced to six years in jail on Friday afternoon, after being found guilty of money laundering earlier in the week. Yeung’s story has been front page news in Hong Kong, with his colorful career encompassing everything from cutting Jackie Chan’s hair to meeting with Jia Qinglin – number 4 in Hu Jintao’s cabinet – and washing money for notorious triad bosses.

Yeung's investigation was triggered by an anonymous letter of complaint in 2008
Yeung’s investigation was triggered by an anonymous letter of complaint in 2008

Continue reading Carson Yeung jailed for six years

Crops and Bobbers: Birmingham City and the Hong Kong hairdresser

Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung Ka-sing, the Birmingham City owner, has been a very naughty boy. Here’s the summary:

carson_youngBetween 2001 and 2007 Yeung and his father reported no income but HK$721 million (US$ 93 million) somehow found its way into their five bank accounts. Yeung said he made some money working as a hairdresser to HK’s rich and famous, and then invested and gambled his way to riches (while keeping little or no documentation of any transactions). After a 53-day trial, the judge concluded Yeung was a liar and a money launderer, mixed up with triad bosses and other lovely people.

Continue reading Crops and Bobbers: Birmingham City and the Hong Kong hairdresser

China sneaks into Asian Cup through back door

Travelling Chinese soccer fans had better start saving up for a busy 2015.

China qualifies for Asian Cup, despite another desperate performance
China qualifies for the Asian Cup, despite another desperate performance

Days after accepting an invitation to play in the Copa America in Chile in June next year (subject to confirmation from the AFC), China will start 2015 in Australia playing in the Asian Cup after qualifying on Wednesday night.

But, as usual, China did it the hard way.

Continue reading China sneaks into Asian Cup through back door

Football Focus: China enters Copa America, Li Tie returns to Everton

Lots of soccer news at the moment…

As per the excellent Wild East Football, China has accepted an invitation into the 2015 Copa America in Chile, as one of Conmebol’s two regular guest slots. No one will be expecting much from the Chinese, but competing at this level can only help the country’s quest to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

Chinese players prepare to face Iraq in their Asian Cup qualifier on March 5
Chinese players prepare to face Iraq in their Asian Cup qualifier on March 5

Continue reading Football Focus: China enters Copa America, Li Tie returns to Everton