The Chinese press says that there is already a date set for the return of the top echelon.
The Chinese Super League, the country’s top football event, is due to kick off in the last week of June, two weeks after the lowest level competitions, after a four-month hiatus due to the covid-19 pandemic.
Chinese state media said the season could begin on June 24, if the number of cases in the country continues to decline. It is likely that the race, with 16 teams, will adopt a shorter format, to make up for lost time.
Shanghai SIPG, one of the top teams in Chinese football, is coached by Portuguese coach Vítor Pereira – who was crowned champion in his debut year in 2018 – and Portuguese international defender Daniel Carriço was hired by Wuhan Zall, a team from region where the outbreak occurred.
The number of new covid-19 cases in China has remained low for several weeks and restrictions on domestic travel are gradually being lifted, but the borders remain closed to foreigners, even those who have a residence permit in the country, which it means that some of the foreign players and coaches may be absent when the league starts.
The head of the China Football Association said last week that clubs should implement temporary wage cuts, between 30% and 50%, in the face of losses from the pandemic, suggesting case-by-case negotiations.
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