The Fifth Column
Lazy mug
This could also have a major impact on Uefa's financial fair play rules which could collapse under pressure from Europes top clubs. If the best talent starts to be syphoned off by China I can't see the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Chelsea etc too happy at being priced out of the market due to FFP rules. I'm not aware any other federation has FFP rules like Uefa certainly in China it seems that big businesses are being encouraged to invest billions in Chinese football by the government, no doubt with some sweet incentives thrown in for those that do. I can't imagine ever being interested in watching Chinese league football regardless of which superstars pimp themselves out for it, in fact more than anything that very fact would convince me to avoid it at all costs.
European football will remain king for many years to come in terms of interest and spectacle no matter how many billions the Chinese throw at their domestic football, it might increase local demand for it and I suspect thats the aim for China to jump start Chinese football development but I don't see many Europeans tuning in to watch Liaoning Whowin (love that name!) v Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao anytime soon.
On a side note I wonder how many away fans make the trip from Guangzhou to their fixture with Yanbian Funde FC - a staggering 2146 miles away - About 2-3 days by car or a 5.5 hour flight!!
European football will remain king for many years to come in terms of interest and spectacle no matter how many billions the Chinese throw at their domestic football, it might increase local demand for it and I suspect thats the aim for China to jump start Chinese football development but I don't see many Europeans tuning in to watch Liaoning Whowin (love that name!) v Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao anytime soon.
On a side note I wonder how many away fans make the trip from Guangzhou to their fixture with Yanbian Funde FC - a staggering 2146 miles away - About 2-3 days by car or a 5.5 hour flight!!