At 18:19, on the night of December 20, the CFA's official website suddenly released a message revealing the second list of clubs that had cleared their debts, and Guangzhou was listed. However, just 23 minutes later, Wei Shihao issued a query on his personal social media platform, questioning how Guangzhou had managed to get through the access. Immediately after, Yang Liyu retweeted and chimed in, "Same query." Ten minutes later, Yan Dinghao also joined the discussion with the same question. The questions of these three former Guangzhou players quickly created a furor on the Internet, with the media and the public joining in the discussion.
Wei Shihao took the lead, followed by Yang Liyu and Yan Dinghao. These three players, once known as Guangzhou's "Three Young Men", surprised and disappointed Guangzhou fans with their moves.
Two days ago, it was rumored that Cannavaro was willing to drop his complaint, and Wei Shihao was thought to be one of the driving forces. However, after the FA announced the list, Wei Shihao was the first to come forward to question it, a move that took fans by surprise.
It is reported that two years ago, departing players, including naturalized players, voluntarily gave up their salary arrears in exchange for free agency. Wei Shihao, Yang Liyu and Yan Dinghao signed an installment repayment agreement with Evergrande, with all salary arrears to be settled within one to three years. The Guangzhou club failed to get approval for naturalization for the first time because of salary arrears owed to former head coach Carlos Cannavaro.
Recently, in order to gain access, the club has tried every means possible. Fans spontaneously crowdfunding, staff donations, chairman Liu Qian and Evergrande Football School's director of competitive training Gao Hong publicize the product through webcast. All of them have only one wish: to keep the Guangzhou team alive.
However, all this seems to be just a good wish of the fans and the club. Behind the scenes is the once favorite and tolerant "prick" of Guangzhou fans. Apparently, the "Three Young Men" have already reached a private agreement that they will speak out once the Guangzhou club gets the news, with Wei Shihao as the main spokesman and the other two giving their support.
Indeed, it is a basic ethical principle to pay your debts, but there are many ways to communicate, so why choose to make things public by exposing them on Twitter?
Guangzhou team used to be brilliant, players were paid high salaries and no one was jealous. Now that they are in trouble, some people are falling on their swords instead. In fact, the club is just the Evergrande Football School struggling to survive. Young players are paid only a few thousand dollars, but they are dedicated to training and playing. The team finished third in the Central League last season, which was the best reward for the players, coaches and all the staff of the club. However, just when everyone thought that they were ready for a new season of higher achievements through access, the "Big Brother" created trouble by openly collecting debts.
Wei Shihao's and other people's public salary demands have triggered confusion among some media people. They believe that the problem does not only exist in Guangzhou team, many teams may have similar situation. However, maintaining stability is the big picture and meets the expectations of most fans. As a national team player, it is not appropriate for Wei Shihao to take the lead and "speak out" at this time.
Some sad and disappointed Guangzhou fans said that in that case, it would be better to let the team disband. In such a difficult environment, disbanding would be a relief instead.
Some sad and angry fans were agitated that although some of the money had been refunded, the money was like a bottomless pit that the club simply could not afford to repay. Those who know what's good for them can't hold on to their ego too much. This part of the fans strongly suggested that the team should be disbanded and start afresh from the mid-campaign. Since some people want the team to be disbanded, let them not want a penny.
It was a heartbreakingly sleepless night.
