Chinese soccer scores crucial recovery goal

Fans allowed back into stadium for league match

Scenes of soccer fans cheering loudly, hugging one another and waving banners in support of their team have largely disappeared around the world due to the coronavirus pandemic.

However, with the outbreak under control in China, supporters have been given a well-earned chance to return to the stadium.

On Aug 22, the Chinese Super League, or CSL, reserved 2,000 seats for fans and representatives of front－line medical workers for a match in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, between title contenders Shanghai SIPG and Beijing Guo'an, which Shanghai SIPG won 2－1.

The game was among those played in the sixth round of matches this season.

It was also the first time this season, which kicked off behind closed doors in late July, that supporters had been allowed into a stadium.

There are plans to admit fans to four more games in the eighth and ninth rounds of matches early this month and to those in the 10th to 14th rounds, providing that CSL and local epidemic prevention regulations are complied with.

Liu Yi, secretary－general of the Chinese Football Association, or CFA, said: "In terms of allowing fans to enter a stadium, soccer has an advantage, as it is played outdoors. But considering the scale of operations in the CSL, there are still many challenges.

"We hope more fans can return to stadiums, but in the meantime we have to avoid any risks."

Liu said that with limited opportunities to learn from experiences in other coun－tries, epidemic prevention experts in Suzhou made considerable efforts to draw up plans and regulations to ensure that fans had an enjoyable time and remained safe.

Tickets for CSL matches can only be bought through a real－name registration system. Potential spectators must provide a health QR code containing their recent travel data, along with a nucleic acid test result for the coronavirus within seven days, so that if any COVID－19 cases are confirmed, organizers can track the sour－ces as soon as possible.

"I think Suzhou is a great city. The authorities know that welcoming the CSL will help showcase the city and boost the local economy," Liu said.

"After several meetings, we reached agreement on issues including epidemic prevention measures, security, transpor－tation and ticketing. We have had very effective cooperation with Suzhou.

"Allowing fans to return to the stands for CSL matches signifies the sports industry's success in the battle against the pandemic."

Vitor Pereira, head coach of Shanghai SIPG, welcomed the return of fans and said they are like a "family" to the club and "indispensable" at matches.

Supporters quickly seized the chance to watch the team play at the stadium, despite the number of admission proce－dures involved.

Shanghai SIPG fan Chen Yiwen told The Paper.cn: "I saw on the news that the CSL could possibly open the stands, and we kept our eyes open. When we saw the club's announcement confirming this, all the fans were thrilled. We haven't watched any games at stadiums for nearly a year.

"I went to a hospital to take a nucleic acid test. Before she carried out the proce－dure, the nurse asked me why I needed the test, and was surprised when I told her it was to attend a soccer match.

"All of us feel that the CSL has done a good job in epidemic prevention. We all wore face masks and waited in line to have a temperature check before we entered the stadium."