By Sportswriter Wu Shuguang
JINAN, China, Mar. 2 (Xinhua) -- As the 2018 Chinese Super League (CSL) season kicks off on Friday, teams are all too aware of the challenges arising from the 100% tax on foreign transfers over a certain price and the U-23 player quota. Whether these new rules can lead to a different but still entertaining season remains to be seen.
China's football governing body, the Chinese Football Association (CFA), ruled that any club spending on foreign players must pay the same sum of money to a football development fund as a tax for making the signing, with the purpose of encouraging the development of young Chinese players.
The winter transfer market was quiet compared to the past. While the tax brought down the spending on foreign imports, Javier Mascherano went to Hebei China Fortune, Cedric Bakambu went to Beijing Guoan and Yannick Carrasco will be playing for Dalian Yifang. Elite clubs like Shandong Luneng, Shanghai SIPG and Tianjin Quanjian didn't make any foreign signings this winter.
It's a risky move as any clubs trying to work around the rules to avoid the tax could face a penalty of up to 15 points. Several clubs like Beijing Guoan already paid the tax, according to a CFA statement.
According to the CFA, each CSL team can only have a maximum of four foreign players in its squad, and a maximum of six foreign footballers for the season.
Also, the CFA demanded the number of foreign players in their starting line-ups should match the number of under-23 players, while at least one under-23 player should be included in the starting XI. There should be no more than three foreigners on the pitch.
The quota rules will definitely offer more chances for local young talent. A more open title race could also be expected as the quality of young players may be as important as the foreign talent.
Some worried that the quota may have bad effect on the competitive situation. A new sponsor of the CSL promised on Thursday that it will donate 10,000 yuan (about 1587.3 US dollars) for youth development whenever an Under-23 player scores in CSL matches.
"We will strive to build a popular super league," Vice-President of the CFA Li Yuyi, said on Thursday, adding that the 2017 CSL season attracted over 5.7 million fans and 430 million TV viewers.
One hidden risk is apparent as teams intend to pay high prices for young players instead of training young talent, and that may lead to the market value of young players becoming artificially inflated.
In addition, the quota poses a test for coaches, because they need to figure out how many under-23 players they need in their first XI.
