On May 24, the Chinese Football Association (CFA) introduced the strongest policies yet in a bid to curb soaring transfer fees for foreign players and to force clubs to field more U23 players on the pitch.

“To benefit the healthy and steady development of professional football leagues and curb the irrational spendings on players, those clubs which are in the red should pay the same sums of money as their spendings on buying players to the Chinese Football Development Fund and this money will be used for the development of local young players and the promotion of football in China,” the Chinese football authority said.

“Money from transfer fees will be used in the development of young players, the promotion of grassroots football and charities. ”

The CFA also made a claim for U23 players’ involvement in games.

"From 2018 season, all top-tier and second division clubs must field as many local U23 players as foreign players in each game," the football governing body said in another statement.

Source: Cankaoxiaoxi and ECNS

Proofread by Raymond Fitzpatrick