Chinese companies continue to pursue football-related activities

18/03/2016 will remain an important date in the history of the development of football in China: the Chinese conglomerate Wanda Group (tourism, hotels, entertainment) became a FIFA Partner (alongside adidas and Coca-Cola, among others) through the 2030 World Cup. Wanda becomes the first Chinese partner in the history of FIFA.

Thirteen months ago, the same Wanda Group became the owner of the Swiss sports marketing group Infront Sports & Media, for €1.05bn on 10/02/2015.

China had previously unveiled a reform plan, with 50 measures, to accelerate the development of football in the country, on 16/03/2015. This is the same objective under which the Chinese Football Federation was able to announce, on 24/02/2016, that the body was now 100% independent from the Chinese General Administration of Sport.

Purchasing the TV rights to major European leagues, partnerships with top football clubs, summer tours and prestigious European club friendly matches, cooperation and development agreements, even the direct acquisition of European clubs... China continues to deepen its relations with…