China

BEIJING - Chinese football was thrown into disarray on Sunday as the owners of reigning Chinese Super League champions Jiangsu FC announced the club would cease operations with immediate effect.

A post on Jiangsu's official WeChat account expressed hope of new backers or that a "company of insight" would be willing to consult on the team's future.

The announcement stated all of owners Suning Group's football clubs, including the hugely successful Jiangsu Suning Women, would "cease operations from today.”

HONG KONG — When the Chinese Super League (CSL) kicks off its 2021 season much will have changed since Jiangsu Suning defeated Guangzhou Evergrande to claim their first title in early December.

The imposition of a neutral name rule, first mooted two years ago, by Chinese football authorities means professional clubs must remove references to corporate sponsors from team names and crests ahead of the new season, which is expected to start in April.

AS Roma has today confirmed the return to the club of Italy international Stephan El Shaarawy. 

El Shaarawy, who initially joined I Giallorossi on loan from AC Milan in January 2016, departed for China 18 months ago in a $17.6 million deal with Shanghai Shenhua. "Il faraone" enjoyed the most productive spell of his career in the capital, scoring 40 goals and assisting 26 in 139 appearances for Roma.

Rafa Benitez has left Chinese Super League side Dalian Pro, with the Spaniard saying on Saturday that the COVID-19 pandemic was a factor in his decision.

The former Liverpool and Real Madrid head coach was hired on a lucrative contract worth a reported 12 million pounds ($16 million) per year after he left Newcastle United in 2019.

"Unfortunately, like so many things in the last year, COVID-19 has changed our lives and our projects. From today, both my coaching staff and I will sadly no longer be coaching Dalian," Benitez said in a statement.

Alex Teixeira scored and put on a stellar performance to earn Jiangsu Suning their first-ever Chinese Super League title with a 2-1 win over defending champions Guangzhou Evergrande in their championship playoff second leg on Thursday.

Brazilian winger Teixeira was instrumental in Eder Martins’ opening goal before scoring his side’s second as Jiangsu saw off the eight-time champions, who were reduced to 10 men in the first half, with a second-leg victory after the teams had played out a goalless draw on Sunday.

Ten-man Jiangsu Suning saw off former champions Shanghai SIPG 2-1 after extra time in their Chinese Super League playoff semifinal on Monday to set up a title decider with defending champions Guangzhou Evergrande next week.

Luo Jing’s stunning long-range strike two minutes into the second period of extra time earned Cosmin Olaroiu’s side victory on the night and a 3-2 aggregate win to take Jiangsu into the showpiece against Guangzhou over two legs on Nov. 8 and 12.

LUSAKA — After clinching the top scorer award in the Women's Chinese Super League, Zambian footballer Barbra Banda is inspiring girls at home to follow in her footsteps.

The 20-year-old won the Golden Boot of China's top flight after scoring 18 goals in 13 games.

The powerful forward, playing her debut season in China, finished the campaign nine goals ahead of her nearest challenger Temwa Chawinga of Wuhan Jianghan. Having helped her side seal third place in the standings, Banda has been the talk of the league.