Chinese Super League Research Articles

The influence of the video assistant referee on the Chinese Super League

With the development and advancement of technology, various types of high-tech auxiliary equipment have been gradually introduced into football matches to assist referees to officiate the game. The Chinese football Super League (CSL) introduced the video assistant referee (VAR) in the 2018 season. The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of the introduction of VAR on football matches and on referees’ performance. This study compared the data of all 240 games without VAR in the season 2017 and all 240 games with VAR in the season 2018 using Generalized Linear Model (GLM) and means comparison. The following match variables were considered: goals, penalties, red cards, yellow cards, fouls, offsides, playing time in the first half, playing time in the second half and total playing time. The study found that: 1) After the introduction of VAR, the number of offsides and fouls in the Chinese Super League dropped significantly (p < .001); 2) the playing time in the first and second half and the total playing time increased significantly(p < .001); 3) after the introduction of VAR, the home team advantage decreased slightly. The research result can help to better understand the impact of VAR on professional football, especially on the Chinese football Super League, it can also help referees to optimize their refereeing strategy.

Supporters, the forgotten chain in Asian football: fandom in the Chinese Super League and the Australian A League

The Australian League (A-League) and the Chinese Football Association Super League (CSL) have both only been established for just over a decade. However, since their earliest years, their teams have attracted passionate fans. These fans dedicate a great deal of emotional and physical energy to supporting their teams and actively disdain the intense commodification that is embedded in these professional football competitions. Both sets of supporters “fanatically” strive to impress the opposition with vivid animated performances which include songs, chants, flags and massive colourful banners. In doing so, both the Chinese and the Australian fans are in fact mimicking their European ultras counterparts. This paper analyses the origins of the ultras movement in European football and seeks to relate this movement to the Chinese and the Australian active fans. Then, using data collected on the football stands of both countries, combined with a content analysis of the fans’ social media channels, it explores some of the similarities and differences between both groups. It concludes by questioning whether the football fans in Australia and China will have any real power in the corporate and political contexts of Asian football or if their call against “modern football” will remain just a folkloric gesture without any significant political consequences.

From Rags to Riches: Business Model Innovation Shifts in the Ecosystem of the Chinese Super League

The Chinese Super League (CSL) has witnessed unprecedented growth in recent years via evolutions in Chinese football clubs’ business models and the league environment. This paper analyses business model innovation (BMI) in the light of changing ecosystem factors via a case study of the Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao FC. It analyses the types of BMI and finds that BMI constancy and novelty are key to the club’s success. The study identifies policy and investors as the two ecosystem factors with the most significant influence on the club’s BMI. We argue that CSL clubs have unique and under-rated value capture structures, where the value is captured by their investors rather than by the clubs themselves. Being sensitive to the ecosystem is another key factor and we give guidance on how to anticipate ecosystem changes and adjust business models accordingly. This can be generalized to other organizations and industries.

Players’ match demands according to age and playing position in professional male soccer players

ABSTRACTThe aim of this paper was to study the change of game patterns of elite soccer players according to their playing position and ages. A total of 28,547 match observations from 923 players were undertaken in the Chinese Soccer Super League (CSL) during six seasons (2012–2017) using tracking data from Amisco (Amisco, Nice, France). Playing positions were categorised as central defenders, fullbacks, central midfielders, wide midfielders, and attackers. The players were divided into four age groups: Group 1 (17–22.9 years), Group 2 (23–28.9 years), Group 3 (29–34.9 years), and Group 4 (35–40.9 years). Fourteen technical performance-related parameters and six physical performance-related parameters were chosen as performance variables in the analysis. Differences between the four age groups were determined using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The running performance of players decreased with advancing age, especially for high intensity running. However, older wide midfielders and attackers (beyond 30 years of age) who were still playing in the league presented similar physical efforts. Fullbacks and attackers performed more passes and forward passes as they got older. Midfielders in the age group of thirty years or more make more passes and crosses. Midfielders and attackers have a higher shot ability when they are older.

Eigenvalues make the difference – A network analysis of the Chinese Super League

To evaluate collective (macro) performance data in the Chinese Super League, social network analyses and graph theory were implemented in team sports performance analyses. For each team, we constructed a weighted and directed network in which nodes corresponded to players and arrows to passes. A total of 1200 matches during the 2014–2018 seasons were analysed. The results showed significant differences in general network measures among team competitive levels, match locations and match outcomes. Successful teams and home teams had significantly higher link, diameter, density and cluster coefficient values than did the unsuccessful teams or visiting teams; however, the winning teams had significantly lower density and cluster coefficient 2 values than did the losing teams. This study suggested that successful teams or teams with advantages (home, winner) have a high level of total passes and eigenvalues. This is the first report in which eigenvalues (the degree of a team’s distribution of the ball during the match) were able to capture changes in dynamics between different teams. There were positive correlations between all the network variables and the total shots and no correlations between all the network variables and goals.

Match Performance of Soccer Teams in the Chinese Super League-Effects of Situational and Environmental Factors.

To investigate the effects of situational factors (match location, strength of team and opponent) and environmental factors (relative air humidity, temperature and air quality index) on the technical and physical match performance of Chinese Soccer Super League teams (CSL). The generalized mixed modelling was employed to determine the effects by using the data of all 240 matches in the season 2015 collected by Amisco Pro®. Increase in the rank difference would increase the number of goal-scoring related, passing and organizing related actions to a small-to-moderate extent (Effect size [ES]: 0.37–0.99). Match location had small positive effects on goal-scoring related, passing and organizing related variables (ES: 0.27–0.51), while a small negative effect on yellow card (ES = −0.35). Increment in relative air humidity and air quality index would only bring trivial or small effects on all the technical performance (ES: −0.06–0.23). Increase in humidity would decrease the physical performance at a small magnitude (ES: −0.55–−0.38). Teams achieved the highest number in the physical performance-related parameters at the temperature between 11.6 and 15.1 °C. In the CSL, situational variables had major effects on the technical performance but trivial effects on the physical performance, on the contrary, environmental factors affected mainly the physical performance but had only trivial or small impact on the technical performance.

Technical and physical performances of Chinese Super League soccer players differ according to their playing status and position

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to compare the technical and physical performances of starters, substitutes and whole-match players of different playing positions: central defender, full-back, central midfielder, wide midfielder, and forward. Data were collected from the Chinese Super League. Technical and physical match-performances were analysed using independent / paired t-tests for the following groups: starters (n = 4,794) vs. substitutes (n = 1,208); whole-match players (n = 3,505) vs. substitutes (n = 1,208); within-player comparisons: starters (n = 258) vs. substitutes (n = 258). Significant differences were identified between substitutes and starters/whole-match players for central defenders (number of shots, total distance), central midfielders (high-intensity and total distance, number of high-intensity runs and sprints), wide-midfielders (high-intensity distance, number of high-intensity runs and sprints) and forwards (number of forward passes). Significant differences were identified during within-player comparisons for fullbacks (shot success, ground challenges success), central midfielders (number of passes, shots, aerial challenges and ground challenges), wide midfielders (number of high-intensity runs, sprint % of distance) and forwards (sprint % of distance, number of shots). Substitutes in the CSL experienced greater work-rates and completed more technical actions than starters or whole-match players but with a lower efficacy that was modulated by playing position.

Air Pollution and Attendance in the Chinese Super League: Environmental Economics and the Demand for Sport

Although numerous discussions have taken place on the environmental policies and practices of sport organizations, there have been very limited examinations of sport consumer behaviors in direct re...

Governance of the Chinese Super League

PurposeIn 2017, the Chinese Super League (CSL), the first professional football division in the People’s Republic of China (PRC), became the highest-spending league in the international players’ transfer market, with a total spending of €377m. Moreover, the government of the PRC is backing the CSL with an ambitious football plan. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to examine the governance of the CSL by questioning the organisational viability of the league.Design/methodology/approachIn addition to the relevant international literature, this study is based on 14 recent scholarly articles published in Mandarin from 2013 to 2018 to reflect the national academic debate. Moreover, website research on all CSL clubs has been conducted. The institutional analysis follows the integrative change model of Cunningham (2002) complemented by agency and bureaucracy theory.FindingsThe CSL still faces substantial governance problems caused by the divergence of goal setting, organisational inefficiencies and compliance issues. The organisational change is notably constrained by internal competitive value commitments and external power dependency.Research limitations/implicationsThe institutional findings on the CSL provide a starting point for empirical studies. The approach contributes to the theory of sport governance processes.Practical implicationsThe material and insights are informative for decision makers to evaluate the competitiveness of the CSL.Originality/valueThis paper is the first international in-depth analysis of the governance of the CSL using the body of knowledge published in Mandarin.

Does Star Power Boost Soccer Match Attendance? Empirical Evidence from the Chinese Soccer League

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of star power on game attendance. The essential aspect of demand for sport events is fan interest, which can be shown through match attendance, watching contests, buying team-related products, and following a team on media. To conduct this study, all attendance data from the 2015, 2016, and 2017 seasons of the Chinese Super League were used to understand which factors impacted spectator attendance. Results of this study found that high profile teams, traditional rivalries or derbies, and famous foreign players can positively impact attendance at both home and away games, while members of the Chinese National Team had a negative impact on attendance. These results will give team owners a better understanding of Chinese soccer fans’ interests, ultimately leading to maximizing profit generation in ticket and merchandise sales. Implications for both sport managers and scholars are discussed.

Dynamic Superstar Effects

This paper investigates the dynamic effects of high-skill individuals on peers by examining the superstar spillovers in the Chinese Super League. Exploiting timing variations in the arrivals of foreign superstars across clubs and the stars' accidental injuries during the 2013 to 2016 seasons, we find that the exposure to foreign superstars improves domestic peers' skill increasingly as time elapses. The exposure effect is driven by peers at positions close to the superstars and is more pronounced for younger and less-experienced players. Our findings shed light on the positive spillovers of upper-tail human capital on peers' skill accumulation in the long run.

Impact of international sports events on the attendance of domestic sports league games using Chinese Super League data

PurposeExperiences of high quality games between top-class sports teams could influence sports fans’ decision to attend the domestic sports games. For example, soccer fans who watched the World Cup games between the best national teams are likely to be disappointed with the performance of their domestic league teams after the World Cup event, while more people might be attracted to watch a soccer game because of their increased interest in soccer games. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how the international sports event (i.e. the World Cup) influences the demand of the domestic sports league games in the non-hosting country.Design/methodology/approachTo test these antithetical hypotheses, the authors collect the Chinese Super League game-level data from 2004 to 2011. For analysis, the authors propose two empirical models rigorously developed based on previous sports marketing theories.FindingsThe findings are surprising compared to previous studies for the hosting countries or countries that performed spectacularly during the World Cup tournaments. The authors find that the international event negatively influences the attendance of domestic games. Specifically, it gives salience to the competitive quality of a match and helps enhance the impact of star players. Furthermore, the authors find evidence of dynamic effects of the international event.Originality/valueThe study contributes to the previous sports literatures by expanding our understanding of the effect of international sports events. Particularly, the results shed light on international events’ impact on the domestic sports league demand in more general conditions based on its influence on people’s behavior, rather than focusing on the effect caused by facility development or dramatic performance during the international event.

Operational Efficiency of the Football Team in Chinese Super League with DEA

With the professionalization of Chinese football, currently, Chinese football industry has become a new economic topic. The team like Guangzhou Evergrande, as a representative of the ‘money’ football policy in China, is popular. The China Football Association Super League (CSL) can be considered as an emerging field of great investment value. As such, the team’s operational efficiency should be a key factor that affects the managers and investors. Based on the input-oriented Data Envelope Analysis (DEA) model, this study analyzes the operational efficiencies of teams in CSL. The empirical study shows three key findings: First, team using the crazy investment mode is not efficient in 2012, 2013, 2014 seasons. Second, Beijing Guoan’s efficiency declined in the 2015 season due to his few investment. Third, in order to achieve good achievements in the league in the future, increasing investment should be an inevitable choice.

Key team physical and technical performance indicators indicative of team quality in the soccer Chinese super league

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to identify the key physical and technical performance variables related to team quality in the Chinese Super League (CSL). Teams’ performance variables were collected from 240 matches and analysed via analysis of variance between end-of-season-ranked groups and multinomial logistic regression. Significant physical performance differences between groups were identified for sprinting (top-ranked group vs. upper-middle-ranked group) and total distance covered without possession (upper and upper-middle-ranked groups and lower-ranked group). For technical performance, teams in the top-ranked group exhibited a significantly greater amount of possession in opponent’s half, number of entry passes in the final 1/3 of the field and the Penalty Area, and 50–50 challenges than lower-ranked teams. Finally, time of possession increased the probability of a win compared with a draw. The current study identified key performance indicators that differentiated end-season team quality within the CSL.

Labour migration to Chinese Super League: an examination of UK newspapers from Anelka in 2011 to Tevez in 2017

There have been many studies about soccer labour migration, and these studies have employed different theoretical frameworks to understand players’ migration such as a neocolonial exploitation-base...

Chinese Super League: attendance, pricing, and team performance

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of team performance, price dispersion – having multiple ticket prices for a single event, and market characteristics on fan attendance. By considering the context of the Chinese Super League (CSL), this study considers multiple strategies for enhancing the demand for sport in relation to factors on- and off-the-field of play.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses economic demand theory to examine consumer interest in sporting events in relation to pricing. Through employing econometric modeling, regression analysis is used to estimate results from match-level data encompassing multiple seasons.FindingsThe findings estimated from the linear regressions indicate that using multi-tiered pricing for sporting events does not significantly enhance demand in this context. Furthermore, it is found that consumers are responsive to matches against rival teams and strong opponents.Research limitations/implicationsThe results run counter to prior literature on price dispersion, indicating that attendance demand may not always be influenced by the number of price points.Practical implicationsThe findings help to develop an understanding of how team performance and pricing are important parts of meeting organizational goals in sport. From this, strategies can be formed to help stakeholders and managers in improving organizational performance.Originality/valueThis research is one of the first to consider the CSL, where both single and multiple price points exist for sporting events. Thus, it helps to build both theoretical and empirical knowledge in regards to the importance of pricing systems.

When the future of Chinese soccer is at stake

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of Chinese youth’s attention to and involvement with Chinese soccer and its professional league, the Chinese Super League (CSL), on their level of satisfaction.Design/methodology/approachA survey study was employed to test the hypotheses. Research participants (n=948) were students from five major universities that represented each of the five main geographic regions of China. Data were randomly assigned into two halves: one half for CFA (n=474) and the other half for structural equation modeling (SEM) (n=474). Mplus 7.0 was used to conduct both the CFA and SEM.FindingsThe findings of this study indicated an overall lack of attention to and involvement with Chinese soccer and CSL among Chinese youths. Discussions have been presented on the causes of the lack of youth passion for Chinese soccer and suggestions have been articulated to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of policy formulation, business operation and marketing strategy.Originality/valueThe present study built on the extant sport management literature, demonstrated the complexity of consumers’ cognition and conation in the professional soccer setting, and revealed counter-intuitive relationship between attitudinal traits and behavioral patterns, which in turn provided unique insights for Chinese professional soccer marketers, managers and administrators.

Study of Chinese Super League schedule optimization based on simulated annealing algorithm

Study of Chinese Super League schedule optimization based on simulated annealing algorithm

Motives of sport spectators in China: a case study of the Chinese Super League

The purpose of this study was to explore the motives of spectators of Chinese professional football, in particular, the Chinese Super League (CSL). Based on the results of a focus group and a comprehensive literature review, a 12-motive, 38-item scale was developed. Questionnaires were distributed among CSL spectators in Shanghai. The 333 usable questionnaires were divided into two groups, and two confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to validate the scale. Finally, a 9-motive, 24-item scale was developed. Results indicated that sport interest, achievement, and socialisation were the most important motives for CSL spectators. Further, male spectators were more interested in football than female spectators were, attended more games, and were more willing to attend future games. Similar to previous studies, female spectators were more motivated by individual players. The results of the multiple linear regression showed that achievement could explain 30.8% of the dependent variable of intention of future attendance. Suggestions and implications for sport managers and marketers are given.

An analysis of Chinese Super League partial results

Some of the history of soccer/world football in China is presented. Then consideration turns to the 2008 Chinese Super League. It has 16 teams. The results from the first half of the season, i.e. 15 rounds, are studied. The response of interest for a specific game is whether the home team won, tied or lost, who the home team was, and who the opponent was. The response is ordinal-valued. A generalized linear model is fit and then, given the remaining fixtures, used to predict the final standings of the season. Other explanatories, such as round number, are considered for inclusion in the model. Simulation is employed to estimate probabilities of interest.