Chinese Football Association

The Football Association of the People's Republic of China (Simplified Chinese: 中国足球协会; Traditional Chinese: 中國足球協會; pinyin: Zhōngguó Zúqiú Xiéhuì), or commonly known as the Chinese Football Association (CFA), is the governing body of football in the People's Republic of China. Original formed in Beijing during 1924 the association would affiliate itself with FIFA in 1931 before relocating to Taiwan following the end of Chinese Civil War (see Chinese Taipei Football Association). Re-established during 1955 in Beijing once again the CFA would not affiliate itself with any other major association until it joined the Asian Football Confederation in 1974 and then with FIFA once more in 1979. Since rejoining FIFA the CFA have been a non-governmental, nonprofit organization despite being associated with the Chinese General Administration of Sport.^[1]

Overview

The original China Football Association was founded in 1924. Affiliated to FIFA in 1931, it was relocated to Taiwan following the end of Chinese Civil War (see Chinese Taipei Football Association).

The current Chinese Football Association was founded in the People's Republic of China after 1949.^[2] Its headquarters is located in Beijing. The current President is Wei Di.

In 1994, the CFA formed a professional league consisting of the China Jia A and Jia B divisions, each having twelve clubs with two clubs being promoted and relegated from their respective league every year.^[3]

Beginning with the 2004 season, the former Jia A division was replaced by the Chinese Super League or CSL with the Jia B division being renamed as the new Jia A league. The "Jia League" is often called the "China League".

China also has national teams for both men and women. The women have been more competitive internationally than the men, losing in a penalty shootout to the USA in the 1999 Women's World Cup final, and also finishing fourth in 1995.

Chairman and Full-time Vice-Chairman

When the Chinese Football Association re-established themselves in 1955 they would be a subordinate of the General Administration of Sport and would hire a cadre of Chairman who had served with the Chinese national football team as either a manager or player during their career. This changed in 1989 when the association demanded more professionalism and started to separate itself as a non-governmental, nonprofit organization and hired a Full-time Vice-Chairman to oversee the development of football in China.^[4] Dealing with the administration of disciplinary matters, the league and general organisation of the national team including the hiring and dismissing of the Chinese national team managers has made this role become the most prominent position within the whole of the CFA, while the role of the Chairman has become purely ceremonial.

Competitions

Beach soccer

• Beach Soccer Championship

References

External links

• Chinese Football Association (Chinese)
• FIFA profile: China PR
• China League History
• China PR at AFC site