BEIJING, March 28 (Xinhua) -- The financially-stricken Chinese football club Guangzhou FC has assembled for pre-season training amid speculation that they could fold ahead of the new season.
The eight-time Chinese Super League (CSL) champion, which was relegated to the second-tier league last season, began training on Monday, despite the absence of head coach Zheng Zhi, who traveled to New Zealand with the Chinese national team as assistant coach.
Guangzhou FC was included in the debt-free club list revealed by the Chinese Football Association (CFA) on March 20, meaning they have cleared their debts.
They are facing a player exodus, with key players like Wei Shihao, Yang Liyu and Yan Dinghao linked with moves away to the CSL title holder Wuhan Three Towns.
Wei's wife posted several pictures on social media on Sunday showing that her family has moved to Wuhan.
"Bye-bye, Guangzhou," she wrote. ■
