China bans tattoos for its national team players to 'set a good example'

China has banned its national team players from getting new tattoos and urged to remove any they have to 'set a good example for society'.

Tattoo's are associated with criminality in China and are frowned upon by officials - bad news for defender Zhang Linpeng, who is covered with ink art. However he is not alone in the national team in enjoying body art - fellow defender Shi Ke has a tattoo on his neck.

One thing is for certain - having a tattoo doesn't affect your ability - Lionel Messi is covered with ink, as is icon David Beckham. But fellow superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has no tattoos on his body.  The Manchester United forward regularly donates blood.