BEIJING: Beijing Guoan head coach Bruno Genesio gave a press conference Thursday from 8,000km away in his native France via mobile phone because he is locked out of China by coronavirus.
About a third of the foreign coaches and players in the Chinese Super League (CSL) are missing because China has closed its borders to most overseas visitors.
Advertisement
Advertisement
China, where coronavirus emerged late last year, brought in the strict measure in late March to prevent a wave of imported infections.
The CSL was supposed to begin on February 22 but the season was indefinitely delayed in late January and still has no start date.
One major issue facing China's football authorities is what to do about the likes of former Lyon coach Genesio and other foreign players and staff stuck outside the country.
The 53-year-old Genesio spoke to reporters in the Chinese capital via video call during an open training day for his team.
Advertisement
Advertisement
A mobile phone was held by a Guoan staff member who translated Genesio's comments from French to Chinese for the media.
"The team is training normally every day. Although the situation is very difficult now, we use new technical means and mobile phones to overcome all of this," Beijing News quoted the Frenchman as saying.
[contf]
[contfnew]
channel news asia
[contfnewc]
[contfnewc]
