No ‘tattoo’ rule China bans its football players from getting one

FOOTBALLERS, who play for China’s national team, have been banned from getting tattoos, and advised to remove ones they have under a new directive.

The country’s sports administration body said recruiting new players with tattoos at national level and to youth squads was “strictly prohibited”.

The administration said the move would help set a “good example for society”.

Some national stars, including defender Zhang Linpeng, have previously been told to cover their tattoos.

China has been increasingly stepping up regulation since mid2018 to stop tattoos being shown on screens.

Some professional footballers have since been covering their arms with long sleeves to hide their body art.

In a statement, the country’s General Administration of Sport (GAS) said national players with tattoos were “advised to have them removed”.

“In special circumstances, the tattoos must be covered during training and competition, with the consent of the rest of the team,” it said.

In Chinese culture a stigma has been attached to tattoos - in the past they were used to brand criminals and the tattoo still has links to organised crime groups in east Asia.

Tattoos among ethnic groups were often seen as a mark of the uncivilised

LONDON - Deontay Wilder’s coach Malik Scott believes Oleksandr Usyk could beat a “vulnerable” Tyson Fury if the heavyweights eventually fight.

WBA (Super), WBO and IBF champion Usyk is set for a rematch with Briton Anthony Joshua but, if he wins, could agree a unification contest with WBC champion Fury later in the year.

Scott backed Usyk, 34, to upset Fury.

“This Tyson Fury is much more vulnerable and easier to hit than any Tyson Fury before,” he said.

Wilder drafted in Scott to help train him for his trilogy fight against Fury and Scott believes the British champion’s change to a more aggressive style would suit Usyk.

“I believe that the Tyson Fury that fought Wladimir Klitschko and Deontay Wilder the first time, I believe that Tyson Fury gives Usyk all kinds of fits,” he told ES News.

“The movement, the reflexes Tyson Fury - I believe this Tyson Fury right now, I believe Usyk would beat.

“The heavier Tyson Fury that’s coming forwards, that wants to take chances and put his weight on people. I think that is a perfect system for Usyk to operate off of. “Because his feet are fast, he turns on angles, he’s a good counterpuncher and his punches are so accurate they come with a bit more sting than they appear.

“So if I had to bet on that, I would bet Usyk would beat Tyson Fury.”