Boy band upstages CSL showdown

Soccer games or concerts? The main purpose of the nation’s stadiums has become a hot debate between Chinese soccer fans and supporters of TFBOYS, the country’s hottest boy band.

The two groups have traditionally adopted a non-confrontational attitude, but that appears to be changing.

The Chinese Super League’s Tianjin-Jiangsu clash was scheduled for Sunday at the stadium on the grounds of the Olympic Sports Center in the eastern city of Nanjing, Jiangsu Suning’s home pitch. But it conflicts with a concert in an adjacent indoor arena by the wildly popular TFBOYS.

The Chinese Football Association said on Tuesday the soccer game will be postponed until Sept 28 for “security reasons.”

A separate statement by the Chinese Super League’s official broadcaster, China Sports Media, said the Nanjing sports complex would be unable to provide adequate security for both events on the same day.

The CSL match had been scheduled months ago. It was not immediately clear how the scheduling conflict occurred

The first clash between the “Fabios”, Italian heavyweight coaches Cannavaro and Capello, was highly anticipated by soccer fans. On the other hand, The Alive Four concert, which celebrates the fourth anniversary of TFBOYS, has also been hugely hyped.

“It’s all because of the security reasons, and you guys should blame the sports center,” TFBOYS supporter JudyYuaner said on social media. “It is unreasonable to blame the boys!”

“It is a shame for Chinese soccer,” former Chinese international striker Hao Haidong posted on social media. “All the efforts we’ve made is to gain glories and dignities for Chinese soccer. If we lose the dignity, all the money and fame will be meaningless.”

The TFBOYS, whose name stands for “The Fighting Boys”, have won millions of passionate fans with their schoolboy looks and bubblegum dance pop.

The band’s three teenage members had announced last month they would hold concerts in Nanjing this Friday and Sunday to mark the fourth anniversary since they formed.

Cannavaro, Italy’s World Cup-winning captain in 2006, has led Tianjin to a current third place in the CSL.

Capello, a former England, Real Madrid and Russia manager, was hired in June to revive the fortunes of struggling Jiangsu Suning, but his squad is still near the bottom of the standings despite boasting talent like Brazilian stars Ramires and Alex Teixeira.