DALIAN, China, July 24 (Xinhua) -- The run-up to the start of the Chinese Super League (CSL) has not been affected by the new COVID-19 cases found in Dalian, which will hold half of the fixtures, said CSL officials on Friday.
Qi Jun, the CSL official responsible for COVID-19 prevention issues, dismissed fears that the CSL 2020 campaign, originally slated to start on February 22, could be further postponed.
"The preparations have been going as planned, the league has not been affected by the newly found cases," he said.
"The COVID-19 prevention is the top priority of the league, we will make sure that there will be no infections inside the designated areas," he added.
The Dalian municipal government told a press conference on Wednesday that nine more confirmed coronavirus cases were found, raising the total number to 12 since a new case was reported on Wednesday, three days before the CSL kick-off.
"The COVID-19 pendemic is being put under control, and we are ready for the CSL kick-off," said Dalian vice mayor Zhang Zhihong.
Fabio Cannavaro's defending champions Guangzhou Evergrande will face FA Cup winners Shanghai Shenhua in the CSL season opener on Saturday. Enditem
