Guangzhou FC Faces Setback Amid Financial Crisis

Guangzhou FC, China’s most successful football club has been denied permission to play professionally in the upcoming season due to its ongoing financial difficulties. The eight-time Chinese Super League (CSL) champions failed to reduce their significant debt and will not compete in domestic football when the new campaign begins. The club’s fall from grace marks the end of an era of lavish spending that helped them win two AFC Champions League titles in 2013 and 2015.

During their peak, Guangzhou secured a fourth-place finish at the Club World Cup formed a partnership with Real Madrid for their academy and even planned for a 100,000-capacity stadium. Guangzhou’s rapid rise began in 2010 when property developers China Evergrande acquired the club, investing heavily in both talent and infrastructure. This allowed the team to attract big-name players such as Paulinho, Alberto Gilardino and Jackson Martinez, and appoint esteemed coaches like Marcello Lippi and Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Under their leadership, Guangzhou won multiple CSL titles and international honors. However, the club’s fortunes began to change as the Chinese Football Association introduced financial regulations including a ‘luxury tax’ and salary caps which limited their spending. By 2021, Guangzhou’s financial struggles were worsened by the real estate crisis in China and the impact of COVID-19.

Evergrande filed for bankruptcy in 2022, causing the club’s ambitious plans to collapse. After narrowly missing promotion in the 2024 season, Guangzhou FC is now unable to compete due to its debt. Despite this setback, the club expressed regret and vowed to support the future development of football in China. They remain hopeful of continuing in some form despite the challenges.