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Chinese Super League resumption in doubt after Beijing COVID-19 outbreak

Chinese Super League resumption in doubt after Beijing COVID-19 outbreak

Chinese Super League resumption in doubt after Beijing COVID-19 outbreak

The future of Chennai Super League (CSL) has gone for a toss after the recent outbreak of coronavirus in Beijing, that has “complicated” the plans to start the postponed league of China. A medical expert advising the Chinese soccer association has said that with more than 180 infections recorded in just over a week, the future of CSL is under discussion.

The CSL was scheduled to start in February but has been postponed indefinitely due to COVID-19. The recent outbreak could cause further delays. Zhang Wenhong, an infectious disease specialist told state television that a postponement of CSL could happen.

“The schedule is still under discussion because the pandemic just re-surged in Beijing,” Zhang said.

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“The potential coronavirus transmissions from Beijing make it more complicated. I think CSL leaders are concerned about that and will keep changing the timetable.”

Zhang further said that China unlike European countries where football leagues have restarted is keeping a cautious approach and want to keep cases at near zero.

“European countries have made the decision to restart, because they believe ... if they can keep coronavirus cases under control and the medical system is working well, it will be okay to restart the games,” he said.

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“In China, however, our target is to keep the cases at near zero, so we are much more prudent and we still need more time.”

However, the director of the Shanghai Administration of Sports recently said that CSL could resume in July given “everything goes well”. The COVID-19 shutdown has had a massive impact on Chinese football, financially, with many clubs folding under pressure, including CSL club Tianjin Tianhai.