China "is removing the hand of government" from the country's football body and will end its state funding, "a major step in a plan to overhaul the corruption-tainted sport and raise the level of play," according to John Ruwitch of REUTERS. The China Daily reported that the ministry-level General Administration of Sport announced on Monday that it was removing its grip on the Chinese FA by reshuffling government officials out and turning the body into a "full-fledged" non-governmental organization. The move "is part of a football reform plan issued by the State Council, or cabinet, in March and backed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, a football fan who is pushing for the country to host the World Cup finals one day." CFA President and Deputy Dir of the Sport Administration Cai Zhenhua said, "Reshuffling CFA management is a priority to carry on overall football reform, which will see the game's management run independently without interference from administrative powers" (REUTERS, 8/18). XINHUA reported a "detailed plan to adjust the sport's governing body was published." The plan "aims to give CFA the full independent rights including financial, personnel system and international communications." China Minister of Sports Liu Peng said, "It is a very big and influential step in system and mechanism to revive the Chinese soccer" (XINHUA, 8/17). GLOBAL TIMES' Lu & Li wrote CFA exec committee member Wang Dazhao said that "the association would enjoy more public participation in its operations, including the hiring of more legal and financial experts" (GLOBAL TIMES, 8/18).
