China Football Kicks Off with Minute Silence for Virus Victims
Photo Credits: South China Morning Post
SUZHOU, July 26 (Online Int’l): The Chinese Super League held a minute’s silence on Saturday before the season kicked off five months late because of the coronavirus pandemic. Players bowed their heads to remember virus victims and medical staff as Fabio Cannavaro’s reigning champions Guangzhou Evergrande faced FA Cup winners Shanghai Shenhua.
The opening match of the badly delayed campaign was being played behind closed doors in the city of Dalian, which along with Suzhou is hosting CSL games for the next two months. Wuhan Zall, the club from the city that was ground zero of the pandemic, play newly promoted Qingdao Huanghai later Saturday in Suzhou, near Shanghai.
The number of virus infections has dwindled markedly in China but Dalian is currently the scene of a small cluster of fresh cases, putting Chinese football officials on edge. The Chinese Football Association and CSL are taking no risks with the new season, which was supposed to begin in February but became one of the earliest sporting victims of the health crisis.
The 16 CSL teams have been divided into two groups, in Suzhou and Dalian, and players must spend the first two months living in sealed-off hotels.
Stay tuned to Baaghi TV for latest news and updates!
Australia Suffers Deadliest Day of Pandemic
Saudi Arabia readies for Unprecedented Hajj amidst Coronavirus Pandemic
No One Deserves Success More Than Jordon Henderson: Adam Lallana
