Five months late, Chinese Super League starts season

Eight-time champions Guangzhou Evergrande will finally have an opportunity to begin defense of ir Chinese Super League soccer title on Saturday — more than five months late.

Guangzhou was set to play Shanghai Shenhua at Dalian Sports Center Stadium while Wuzan Zall took on Qingdao Huanghai at Suzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium.

league was originally set to start on Feb. 22 but was postponed indefinitely because of spread of coronavirus, which first emerged in China.

Sixteen teams have been divided into two groups to play without spectators in hubs at Dalian and Suzhou, near Shanghai, for a 14-round first phase of league from July 25 to Sept. 28.

All players and staff were subjected to COVID-19 tests at airports on ir arrival, and tests will be conducted every week.

Team hotels will be closed for public including players’ family and friends for more than two months, while squad, referees and hotel staff will be barred from leaving restricted areas.

Im credits: AP