Tag Archives: CFA

Football

CHINESE FOOTBALL CORRUPTION REPORT

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Detention of ex-Everton Star Li Tie Sparks Biggest Government Crackdown in a Decade

by a SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

China Sports Insider is delighted to publish the following contribution from a special correspondent, who wishes to remain anonymous. All details contained in this article have been translated from Chinese-language reports published on well-known Chinese websites, including official announcements on people detained for investigation etc.

PART 1 – The Online Sacrifice of a Greedy Icon

Like all good football corruption enquiries, the shocking criminal investigations playing out this winter in China started with complete silence. Early last November, one of the biggest stars in Chinese football disappeared. From a training session. According to reports, he told the other participants that he was going to “take some pictures”. He probably added, “I may be some time”.

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Football, Olympics, Swimming

Setting Sun, Soccer Screwup, Ski Supremo & Stricken Sponsors

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As mentioned last week, I’ll still be looking at whatever Winter Olympic action crops up, plus all the developments on the road to Beijing 2022, but as we head into the summer months, other sports will also get a look in, with star swimmer Sun Yang and his retrial in a doping case getting top billing this week, along with China’s last-minute switch to play its upcoming World Cup qualifying games in the UAE, which could have significant implications for China’s 2022 World Cup hopes.

In this week’s look at all the latest news in the build-up to the Olympics and elsewhere:

  • Swimming world waits for Sun Yang retrial verdict
  • China’s World Cup qualifiers switched to UAE
  • Beijing 2022 “Bound to Happen”
  • New Chinese involvement in International Ski Federation
  • Mixed news for Olympic sponsors
  • The latest boycott threats from around the world
  • All the other features and stories of interest
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Column, Football

Gov’t meddling in Chinese soccer, Pt 28: tattoo ban

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You may have heard by now about China’s ban on tattoos, first announced in January when “hip-hop elements” were deemed no longer suitable for TV, and now scrubbed from soccer, too (as detailed below). But though this forms part of a wider campaign, Chinese football has seen the government get involved all too often. 

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General

The future direction of China’s sports policy

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Politics trumps everything in China, so when all the top leaders gather in Beijing for their annual meetings, it’s worth paying attention. Sports is not – it must be stressed – a top priority at the “Two Sessions” or Lianghui, but it does get a mention every now and then. Below are the relevant moments from the week’s major speeches, plus some attempts to read the tea leaves. 

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Football

Taxing debates blight Chinese football

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CSL clubs approached the transfer window cautiously due to the new 100% transfer tax for foreign players – and the lack of detail surrounding it. But clubs are continuing to look for loopholes and that, coupled with Wanda’s return to Chinese football, could spark a return to spending in the summer. 

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Column, Football

FIFA nets yet another Chinese sponsor, while CFA provides much-needed transfer clarity

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Here’s a summary of what you can find in my weekly China Digest for SportBusiness:

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Basketball, Column, Football

CSL TV rights deal resolved, 3×3 takes hold and the NBA’s New Year plans in China

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In addition to my SupChina column, I’ve also been filing a weekly China Digest for SportBusiness over the past year. Here’s a summary of what you can find in this week’s version: 

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Column, Football, Olympics, Tennis

Carlos the Jackass, CFA on trial and the search for the new Li Na goes on

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Here is today’s China Sports column for SupChina, which you can read in full here. Below is a summary of what went on this week. 

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Football

Where next for China’s failed football experiment?

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Earlier this year, China and Germany established a high-level football partnership, at the center of which China’s U20 national team was to play a series of games against teams in Germany’s south-west. But a Tibetan protest at the very first game has left the entire cooperation in tatters – and could have ramifications for China’s wider sporting ambitions. 

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Football

Is La Liga really coming to China?

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Real Madrid and Barcelona now appear to be closer than ever before to playing regular La Liga games in China – but just how soon could that become a reality, what obstacles still lie in the way and what sort of impact would that have on global sport? 

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