When the Chinese Super League summer transfer window closed at midnight on Friday, the competition’s authorities could feel quietly satisfied and declare their mission to cool the hyper-inflated player market a success.
Previous windows had seen the Asian transfer record shattered three times in 18 months and while Anthony Modeste’s move from Cologne to Tianjin Quanjian was the most expensive, it was for a fee far short of the highest paid in China.
The French forward’s transfer to Fabio Cannavaro’s side was completed for a reported 35 million euros (US$40.13 million), nowhere near the 60 million euros Shanghai SIPG parted with to sign Oscar from Chelsea in January.
The big-money signings and high wages were threatening to spiral out of control and when Hebei CFFC paid Beijing Guoan 20 million euros for local defender Zhang Chengdong, the authorities stepped in to calm rampant overspending.
Regulations implemented on June 14 saw soccer authorities impose a 100 percent levy on foreign signings of more than 40 million yuan (US$5.9 million), leaving clubs uncertain of how to tackle the altered landscape.
Speculation that had raged for months linking high-profile strikers such as Diego Costa and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang with moves to the Chinese Super League on deals worth more than 100 million euros shuddered to a halt almost overnight.
For several weeks, Pei Shuai’s transfer from Changchun Yatai to Tianjin Quanjian was the most significant of the window, the 24-year-old having played just once for China.
As deadline day crept ever closer, it seemed only minor deals would be completed as teams took a cautious approach given the scrutiny of the authorities.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and