China: Chinese Super League to limit the number of foreign players on the pitch to three

"During the 2017 Chinese Super League (CSL) season, the number of foreign players, including those from the AFC region, will be limited to three per team (on the pitch)," the Chinese Football Association announced on 16/01/2017.

Chinese teams will be allowed to have five foreign players in the 18-man matchday squad, but now, only three of them can play at the same time, compared to four previously, before the introduction of these new regulations, on 16/01/2017.

This comes after a meeting between representatives of the CFA and those from the Chinese Super League to "fight against irrational investment, encourage the growth of local players, and develop a healthy and stable league financially", on 15/01/2017.

"Second, each team must include two Chinese U-23 players in the matchday squad for all league games. One of these two players must be in the starting 11," added the Chinese football federation on 16/01/2017.

• The 2017 Chinese Super League season will begin on 03/03/2017.

"Encourage the growth of local players" (General State Administration of Sports of the People's Republic…