Cai Zhenhua, vice-minister of Sports, and head of the CFA, says the new plan will unlink football with the General Administration of Sport.

 

"We will take this opportunity to solve issues of self-discipline which have existed in the football industry, as well as improve the secretariat of the Chinese Football Association."

 

Under the new plan, the Chinese Football Association will operate independently from the General Administration of Sport with its own financial system, human resource management and rights in international affairs.

 

The move is part of a larger plan to make China more internationally competitive in football.

 

China currently ranks 79th in the world.