The Guangdong Southern Football Club, also known as Guoan, has dropped out of the Chinese Super League (CSL) title race amid controversies and changes in management. The team was trailing the league leaders, Shandong Luneng, by just two points at the end of the 24th round of the season.
However, following the resignation of its manager, Guoan failed to secure victory against Wuhan Zall in their last match of the season. This loss meant that the club will finish outside the top four positions for the first time since they joined the CSL in 2016.
In addition to this, the team's performance has been plagued by several controversies. The most notable one being the alleged match-fixing allegations made by former players. These claims have led to investigations by the Chinese Football Association (CFA), which is currently investigating the matter.
Furthermore, there have been reports of financial difficulties within the club, with some reports suggesting that the team may be facing financial problems due to unpaid wages and other issues.
Despite these challenges, Guoan has continued to play in the CSL, but it seems unlikely that they will be able to challenge for the title this season. However, the club's fans remain hopeful that things will improve in the future and that they will be able to compete for major titles again soon.
Overall, the drop-out of Guoan from the CSL title race is a significant setback for the team and its fans. However, the club remains committed to improving its performance and returning to its former glory.