The China Football Association (CFA) announced on Thursday that the new Super League season will be postponed as clubs were having difficulty in securing sponsorship.

Contradicting a previous statement in which he said that the season must start on time, the new CFA chief executive Xie Yalong agreed to consult with clubs before making a final decision.

Out of the 14 Super League teams, 12 voted to delay the start of the season from March 5 to April 2 at a meeting convened at the national team training center in the town of Xianghe in Hebei Province. Only Shandong Luneng opposed the proposal, while Tianjin Taida abstained from the vote.

Shandong Luneng are irate at the decision, as the 2004 CSL Cup and China FA Cup winners had scheduled their preparations for the AFC Champions League around domestic league fixtures.

The CFA meeting ends on Saturday.

Earlier this week, 11 clubs had complained of not being able to find sponsors and asked for more time to prepare.

The Super League was dealt a heavy blow when German electronics giant Siemens announced last month that it had terminated its sponsorship due to a "change of strategy."

The problems follow a disastrous last season, tainted by plummeting attendances, poor refereeing, threats of game boycotts by clubs and allegations of corruption, match fixing and gambling.

(Xinhua News Agency February 25, 2005)