Chinese FA To Demand That Clubs Develop Youth Or Lose Licenses

Chinese football authorities "are set to impose strict new regulations on the country’s clubs," using the threat of losing their professional licenses "as a spur" to establish a more comprehensive youth development program, according to Michael Church of REUTERS. According to Titan Sports, the Chinese FA will introduce rules in '19 that "force clubs in the top two tiers of the domestic league to create youth teams" ranging from the U13 bracket up to the U19 level. The teams would play in competitions organized by the CFA. Titan Sports claimed that "a failure to comply would see clubs forfeit their registration to play professionally." The CFA is yet to respond to a request for a comment on the matter. The move "marks the latest CFA directive to enhance the future prospects of the national team," which has "struggled to make" an int'l impact in the last decade-and-a-half (REUTERS, 12/14).