GUANGZHOU FC DISBANDS AFTE 32 YEARS, ENDING AN ERA IN CHINESE FOOTBALL

2025, JANUARY 06 – In a stunning development, Guangzhou FC, one of China’s most illustrious football clubs, officially disbanded on 6 January 2025, succumbing to severe financial difficulties. Once a dominant force in Asian football, the eight-time Chinese Super League (CSL) champions cited their inability to meet the Chinese Football Association‘s (CFA) financial requirements for the 2025 season, bringing an abrupt end to their storied 32-year history.

The club, previously known as Guangzhou Evergrande FC, released a statement addressing the situation:

“Despite all efforts to raise funds from all possible sources, the club could not pay off all its debts – primarily stemming from heavy financial burdens from previous seasons – by the stipulated deadline. We express our sincere apologies to our loyal fan base and greatly appreciate their understanding and forgiveness during this difficult time.”

Guangzhou FC’s decline stands in stark contrast to the golden era that began in 2010 when Evergrande Real Estate Group acquired the club. Their investment ushered in a period of extravagant spending that brought global stars such as Paulinho and legendary managers like Marcello Lippi and Luiz Felipe Scolari to the club. The result was a period of unparalleled success: eight CSL titles between 2011 and 2019 and AFC Champions League triumphs in 2013 and 2015.

However, cracks began to show when Evergrande disclosed debts exceeding US$300 billion in 2021. The financial crisis forced Guangzhou to release key players and ultimately led to their relegation to the second-tier China League One in 2022. The pandemic further exacerbated the financial instability across Chinese football, with investors pulling out and wage disputes with players becoming commonplace.

Guangzhou FC’s closure is part of a troubling trend in Chinese football. On the same day, top-flight Cangzhou Mighty Lions FC and third-tier Hunan Billows FC also announced their disbandment after failing to meet the CFA’s financial requirements.

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