BEIJING: Following up on concerns voiced in official quarters that clubs have been over-spending on foreign talent with a rapid growth in the huge fees being paid for high-profile imports, the Chinese authorities have set the limit on foreign players Chinese Super League (CSL) clubs can field to three, according to local media reports.
Following directives fromthe government, the Chinese Football Association has reportedly decreed that this season, clubs must also feature a Chinese under-23 player in the starting 11, and can name five foreigners in the match day squad – but only a maximum of three can be used, meaning if three overseas players are named in the starting 11, no more foreigners can enter the field of play.
For the past few seasons, the “3+1” rule was in effect, meaning teams could field three foreigners plus a fourth player from an Asian country at any one time. A fifth foreigner could be on the bench and could come on as long as the 3+1 rule was followed. Teams could register a total of five foreign players in their squad for the season and there was no U-23 player rule.
According to Chinese media reports, the change is not yet official but the CFA has informed all clubs of the new policy, which comes in the middle of the Chinese winter transfer window.
The constant spending of some clubs, such as Shanghai SIPG, has attracted attention from above – after the new rule, clubs will inevitably have to deal with a huge waste and find ways to get expensive foreigners off their books in a hurry, a Chinese media outlet reports.
