CFA gets tough on spending, discipline
Chinese Super League clubs are set to face even tighter financial restrictions, including a possible salary cap, as the country’s soccer governing body ups the ante in its war on extravagant spending.
The new regulations were unveiled on Tuesday at a Chinese Football Association meeting in Shanghai, where tougher disciplinary measures were also announced for players ahead of the start of the CSL season this weekend.
In a bid to curb spiralling fees on imports, the CFA last year introduced a levy equal to foreign player transfer fees of 45 million yuan ($7 million) or more.
Fearful that loopholes in the rule could be exploited, the CFA has decreed that clubs that try to avoid the tax will face deductions of up to 15 points and will not be allowed to register the player in question for six months.
The CFA also revealed it will look into introducing a salary cap in 2020. The details of the proposed cap will be hammered out at the end of this season.
Meanwhile, the CFA is also toughening up its disciplinary system, with red cards promised for players who make inappropriate and violent body movements, including unnecessary kicking — even when there is no physical contact.
Actual physical or verbal attacks will result in more severe punishment, while violence from coaches, club officials or spectators will result in offenders being banished from the arena.
Video assistant referees (VAR) will also be introduced this season.
The review system is being used to varying degrees of success in a number of Europe’s top leagues and is expected to be in operation at this summer’s World Cup finals in Russia.
“For now, the CSL is not as good as the professional leagues in Japan and South Korea,” said Li Yuyi, CFA vice-president.
“So we have to build our league’s brand, establish or soccer confidence and make the CSL a world-class league.
“Many of our clubs are taking a loss. There are bubbles in player transfer fees. Also, domestic players are not competitive enough and many teams are relying too much on foreign players. Meanwhile, youth training is another big problem.
“These are all problems generated in the process of high-speed development which can be solved through our own efforts.
“We have to change the methods of development and nurture more young talent in order to make our league a beloved, fair and sustainable one in the world.”