India Breaking News reported India Breaking News CFA Forward Thinking Approach Sets Future Path has highlighted the Chinese Football Association’s endeavors to bolster the foundation of domestic football, ensuring its sustainable development in the long run.

Future CFA in Sanghai

Recent reforms implemented by the Chinese Football Association include new regulations governing professional leagues, such as salary caps and limitations on the recruitment of non-native players. These measures were deliberated upon at a “Professional League Governance Seminar” in Shanghai, attended by various stakeholders and experts.

India Breaking News CFA Forward Thinking Approach Sets Future Path

Liu Yi, Secretary-General of the Chinese Football Association, likened the professional football league to a skyscraper, emphasizing the need for a top-tier design to support its growth. He acknowledged that the league lacked a comprehensive development strategy in the past, necessitating constant maintenance akin to a residential property management company.

Among the new regulations, the salary cap has garnered significant attention. Effective from January 1, 2018, international players are subject to a €3 million after-tax salary cap for contracts signed thereafter. Meanwhile, domestic players’ pre-tax salary cap remains at 10 million yuan ($1.43 million), with Chinese national team internationals capped at 12 million yuan.

While the salary cap may deter high-profile signings like Gareth Bale, the influx of foreign players is expected to persist. Nevertheless, the Chinese Football Association aims to use the salary cap to foster financial discipline among clubs and promote the development of local talent.

Liu Yi expressed concerns over the increasing dominance of foreign players in league goal charts, highlighting the necessity to curb reliance on imported talent. To address this, the Association has imposed financial restrictions, limiting club expenditures and setting quotas for young players.

In a bid to nurture homegrown talent, Chinese Super League teams are mandated to sign a minimum number of young players for each season. Additionally, minimum age requirements for players in top-flight and lower-tier clubs have been established to ensure a balance between experienced and emerging talents.

Nick Coward, former Secretary-General of the English Premier League, lauded the importance of investing in youth training, citing the Premier League’s Elite Player Performance Program as a model for encouraging development. He stressed the need for national bodies to support and incentivize clubs’ investments in young players.

In the upcoming season, Chinese Super League clubs will be allowed to register up to six foreign players, with flexibility in match lineup and playing time. These changes are aimed at enhancing the league’s competitiveness while maintaining opportunities for domestic players.

Professional League Governance Seminar

Looking ahead, the Chinese Football Association plans to refine the new regulations in collaboration with club representatives and other stakeholders. Despite some initial challenges, the Association remains committed to ensuring the professionalism and sustainability of Chinese football.