In particular, the "Penalty Regulations" not only set three key time points and settlement ratios for clubs to resolve wage arrears in stages, but also emphasize the need to resolve all historical wage arrears, including the 2021 season. Further, Article 5 of the Regulation clearly states that if a club reaches an agreement with a person whose wages are owed but fails to settle the arrears in accordance with the agreed timeframe, the penalties will be in line with the specific measures mentioned above.
In fact, with the tournament organizers announcing the resumption of the home-and-away system for this season's Chinese Super League from the 11th round, clubs are nervously negotiating a solution to wage arrears while preparing for the home declaration. It has been observed that more than half of the Chinese Super League clubs are experiencing different forms of wage arrears. As clubs are affected by the progress of shareholding reform or other objective factors, their ability to resolve wage arrears varies. However, it is clear to all clubs that points deduction will be an unavoidable consequence if they fail to resolve wage arrears proportionally by July 31st. For Hebei, Guangzhou City, Guangzhou and other clubs currently on the brink of relegation from the Chinese Super League, this deduction will undoubtedly intensify their relegation pressure and challenges.
It is reported that the Hebei team and Guangzhou City team are doing their best to find a way to solve the crisis. Sources said that Hebei team has obtained verbal permission related to the return of its home ground and its wage arrears are gradually being resolved. The Huaxia Happiness Group, which is behind the club, is also trying to raise funds to pay its employees' salaries. In addition, there are rumors that some of the unpaid clubs have communicated with the unpaid players after the first phase of the Chinese Super League and explored the possibility of granting a discount on the amount of unpaid wages. However, the final outcome is still to be revealed.
