Coronavirus Forces Postponement Of Chinese Super League

The Chinese Football Association (CFA) has confirmed the postponement of the start of the new league season due to the outbreak of the coronavirus in the Asian country.

Coronavirus Forces Postponement Of Chinese Super League

The league had been scheduled to start on the 22nd of February till October 31 with most clubs already engaged in pre-season activities.

But the outbreak of the coronavirus, which has already killed 170 people and reached to 16 countries worldwide, has led to the league being postponed.

Various sports activities in China have already been affected with the World Athletics Indoor Championships which was due to begin in Nanjing in March rescheduled to next year.

"The Chinese Football Association will continue to maintain close communication with national authorities, determine the timing of each season's events in combination with the actual development of the epidemic situation and make reasonable adjustments to the system, schedule, and scale of some events when necessary," a statement read on Thursday.

"Relevant information will be released in time through the official channels of the CFA.

"On behalf of the majority of football workers across the country, the Chinese Football Association pays deep tribute to all medical workers and staff who are currently struggling in the frontline of epidemic prevention and control!"

The Chinese Super League is home to some of the most popular players in world football including the likes of Yaya Toure, Marouane Fellaini, Hulk, Oscar, Mousa Dembele and Marko Arnautovic.

Guangzhou Evergrande, managed by Italy’s 2006 World Cup winning captain Fabio Cannavaro, are the defending champions of the Chinese Super League.