CSL bend rules for Champions League clubs

21 June 2012 08:19

The Chinese Super League have altered the rules to allow AFC Champions League clubs to add two additional foreign players to their lists.

Several clubs and officials had pushed for the rule change which would allow teams to sign six foreign players rather than the previous allocation of four, one of which must come from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

China's Football Association committee vote was passed on Wednesday, after receiving the necessary two-thirds majority.

However, Guangzhou Evergrande - who strongly pushed for the rule change - will be the only club able to take advantage of the new foreign player allocation, as they are the only Chinese side currently competing in the ACL.

The big-spending Chinese champions Guangzhou, who are coached by Marcello Lippi and lead the CSL, are due to take on Al Ittihad in the ACL quarter-finals in September.

China's other 2012 ACL representatives Tianjin Teda and Beijing Guoan crashed out in the group stage.

Clubs will remain limited to four foreigners on the pitch at one time in the CSL, with one needed to be an AFC player. Only five foreigners can be in a matchday squad too.