In the late afternoon of November 7, an official statement from the CFA was like a heavy bomb that blew up the entry threshold for the 2024 season at all levels of the league. In the statement, the CFA delineated November 7 to December 5 as the deadline for the submission of access materials, and emphasized that clubs need to submit a confirmation form for the full payment of player wages for the 2023 season and a confirmation form for the full payment of staff wages for the 2023 season as a proof of non-arrears of wages. The move is intended to warn clubs with a history of wage arrears that access to the new season will not be available to them.
The notice from the FA makes it clear that clubs wishing to apply for access to the Chinese Super League or Chinese League One for the new season need to submit their materials through the AFC Access Management System (CLAS) before the specified time point; while clubs applying for access to the B-League for the new season need to submit their applications through the CFA's information platform on time. Late submission will not be accepted by the FA.
The FA's requirements for admission materials are meticulous, stating that the submission of materials for all admission criteria is subject to the system. Unless the system has special requirements, all materials must be submitted in PDF format and stamped with the club's official seal, and can be used in Chinese. In addition, clubs are required to pay attention to the handling of overdue payable cases and to ensure that there is no history of wage arrears by submitting the club's commitment to no history of wage arrears.
