Chinese FA Responds to Banned Players Shen Si and Qi Hong Participating in Football Youth Training

Recently, the Chinese Football Association (CFA) became aware of information regarding the involvement of Shen Si, Qi Hong and others in football youth-training activities, and hereby issues the following statement:

1. The Decision on Punishing the Violations of Discipline by Four Athletes Including Shen Si of the Former Shanghai Zhongyuan Huili Football Club (Football Discipline Document No. [2013] 028) explicitly states that the Chinese Football Association has imposed a lifetime ban on Shen Si and Qi Hong from engaging in any football-related activities.

1. Article 24 of the Chinese Football Association Disciplinary Code provides a clear interpretation of "prohibited from engaging in any football-related activities": it means the sanctioned individuals are forbidden from participating in any football-related activities (including but not limited to investment, management, matches, or other activities).

1. The Chinese Football Association will closely monitor the progress of the investigation into the incident by the relevant authorities in Shanghai, and will promptly report the findings to the public once available.

Local football governing bodies should earnestly implement verification of barred personnel; all youth-training institutions should conduct training in a scientific and civil manner, and effectively safeguard the physical and mental health and legitimate rights and interests of minors.