ZCZC
BSP-09
FBL-CHINA-CSL
China’s top football league wary of restart, says medical expert
BEIJING, June 19, 2020 (BSS/XINHUA) – The Chinese Super League (CSL) has taken a more cautious approach to restart, and the resurgence of COVID-19 cases in Beijing has further complicated the situation, said a leading Chinese epidemiologist.
The CSL 2020 campaign, which had been slated to kick off on February 22 but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has been the subject of much speculation, though the Chinese Football Association (CFA) has remained tight-lipped over a date for a possible restart.
Zhang Wenhong, a leading expert in China’s efforts in containing the outbreak, who was hired as the CFA’s anti-endemic consultant earlier this month, told CGTN on Thursday that the CSL season will not begin until the virus is under control in China.
“The goal of our battle against the virus is to keep the cases dwindling close to zero. So we are more cautious and need more time,” the 51-year-old professor said when making a comparison with the recently restarted European leagues.
“The timetable of the CSL resumption is still under discussion, and the newly reported cases in Beijing has made the situation more complicated. I think the CSL administrations are alarmed and will change their plan,” he said.
Since June 11 when Beijing reported its first new COVID-19 infection in months, the Chinese capital has reported a total of 183 cases, linked to the Xinfadi wholesale market in the city’s southwest suburb.
Zhang hinted that when the CSL resumes, matches will probably not be played behind closed doors.
“If we can keep the cases close to zero for some time, then we will allow more fans into the stadium to watch games.
In the meanwhile, we will make sure of the safety of players, coaches and the working staff,” he said.
BSS/XINHUA/SSS/1902 hrs