Big shifts are shaking up Chinese football as the Chinese Football Association (CFA) dropped the official list of 49 clubs approved for the 2025 professional leagues. Among the surprising exclusions? Eight-time Chinese Super League (CSL) champs Guangzhou FC, the Cangzhou Mighty Lions, and third-tier team Hunan Xiangtao.
Who Made the Cut?
The greenlighted clubs include reigning CSL champions Shanghai Port and others that cleared the CFA’s strict financial and operational reviews. The process included debt repayments, resolving complaints, and passing audits—no easy feat in today’s sports economy.
Why the Drama?
Guangzhou FC’s absence hits hard. Once a CSL powerhouse, the club’s financial woes (alongside Cangzhou and Hunan’s struggles) left them off the list. The CFA emphasized it’ll \"follow up\" with clubs that failed due to unpaid debts, hinting at deeper challenges in balancing passion and profit.
With the new season’s lineup locked in, fans are left wondering: Can these clubs rebound, or is this a sign of bigger reforms ahead?
NewspaperAmigo – Your Global News Buddy 
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