Chinese league faces crisis

New CFA boss Xie Yalong must balance clubs and country

Chinese clubs are pressing for a radical shake-up in the country's football management following six months of turmoil that has triggered the postponement of the new season.

The Super League, China's top domestic competition, should have started on 4 March but now will not begin until 2 April, to give the League and its clubs more time to find sponsorship.

The League has lost its main sponsor, Siemens, after a disastrous first season which virtually disintegrated amidst refereeing controversies, brawls on the pitch, and rumours of match-fixing and corruption.

"The so-called Super League became disastrous due to a lot of controversies and scandals, game-fixing, corruption, controversial officiating," Chinese sports journalist Dong Jun told BBC World Service's World Football programme.

"All these things almost forced the Super League to a sudden stop, several rounds before its scheduled finish.

"Although the CFA managed to negotiate a deal with the professional clubs, no-one would regard the inaugural season as a success."

'Black whistle'

Only a few years ago, many people were predicting that it would only be a matter of time before a football-loving nation of 1.3bn people really made its mark on the world stage.

But recent history has not been kind to the Chinese. They lost the Asian Cup final to bitter rivals Japan - and then Kuwait knocked them out of qualifying for the World Cup finals in Germany in 2006.

And while the new league, began in 2004, was meant to usher in a new period of professionalism, it ended with one side, Beijing Hyundai, walking off the pitch halfway through a game.

Beijing's actions were partially in protest at some questionable refereeing decisions, but also in a more general complaint about the running of the game.

China is desperate for football success in the future

"Black whistle" scandals - where club chairmen had bribed referees to fix matches - are alleged to have predominated.

As a result, the second half of the season was a flop - attendances fell sharply, with fans feeling cheated. In turn, this made football less attractive to sponsors.

In January, electronics company Siemens - concerned by the turbulent state of affairs - announced it would no longer sponsor the Super League. As yet, no new backer has been found.

In a partial effort to try and restore confidence, Yan Shiduo, the head of the Chinese FA, was sacked last month.

Most believe his replacement, Xie Yalong, will have to implement total reform total restore the public's faith in the game.

His main problem is the conflict between the market forces which control the clubs, and government which controls the game.

The clubs, players and fans are all calling for greater accountability and responsibility from a Sports Ministry that is a branch of central government.

In turn, the "football revolution" is of growing concern to authorities, in particular as some clubs have been calling for an independent League Committee - instead of one organisation controlled by the Sports Ministry.

"They argue that the CFA may be paying more attention to the national teams' arrangement," Mr Dong added.

"But the CFA has been refusing to give more freedom... so these controversies have been growing."