On the night of the 13th, the CFA unveiled the list of the first batch of soccer clubs that have successfully paid off their debts, such as Chengdu Rongcheng, Guangzhou City and Shenzhen, however, these three clubs are facing challenges due to their failure to gain access to the Chinese Super League.
If things go well, the access list for the third-tier league will be finalized by the end of the month, the Surgeon General revealed.
Nonetheless, the CFA and soccer associations continue to follow the mid-April schedule for the opening ceremony of the Premier League in preparation for the upcoming season.
Currently, 15 Super League clubs have been cleared for entry.
Shenzhen's debt problems are particularly problematic, with historical salary arrears and foreign player contract disputes yet to be resolved. While Guangzhou City's access problems look solvable, Shenzhen's complex situation is a cause for concern.
Wei Shihao's move to Wuhan Sanzhen adds a new variable to the Guangzhou team.
The situation in the Central League is equally tense, with seven teams, including eight-time champions Guangzhou, facing access challenges.
Guangzhou team has the "pole position" to enter the Super League, but the debt is a prerequisite.
The Chinese Super League will remain at least 16 teams in size, but the future of the seven clubs in the Central League will be fraught with uncertainty if they fail to resolve their access issues within the stipulated time frame.
It is worth mentioning that the 2023 Super Cup will be staged at Hangzhou Huanglong Sports Center on April 8, where Wuhan Sanzhen and Shandong Taishan will fight for the honor.
The resumption of the Super Bowl, which had been suspended for three years due to the epidemic, also served as a test match for the Asian Games.
In addition to Hangzhou, Wenzhou will also host two Asian Games soccer test matches involving four Chinese Super League teams, including Shanghai Shenhua.
In mid-April, the Super League strives to kick off the season.
Although the CFA is unable to access the three clubs for the time being, qualification for the Chinese Super League is crucial for the cities in which they are based.
The final decision on whether a club loses its Super League status requires the approval of the relevant governing body.
