The entry for the 2025 season remains undecided, and at this pace, it is likely that the entry results will not be announced until after the transfer period begins. This would leave insufficient time for teams to prepare and for players to transfer. In fact, there are only a few teams currently in dispute. The first batch of debt-clearing list has no controversy, and the second batch, including Guangzhou FC, Cangzhou Mighty Lions, and Hunan Billows, were reported during the public notice period, but have since been resolved. However, there is some controversy over the timing of Cangzhou Mighty Lions' resolution.
Cangzhou Mighty Lions received a sum of 60 million yuan and reached a settlement with all the players who were owed wages, submitting the relevant signed materials to the Football Association. However, the submission was one day beyond the stipulated time, making the team's situation unclear. Opinions on this matter vary; some believe that the Football Association should handle matters impartially, while others think that the Football Association should not overcorrect. Whether or not this one day should be taken seriously has also posed a dilemma for the Football Association.
According to media personality Miao Yuan, Cangzhou Mighty Lions may really be in trouble this time, as the Football Association still has not allowed them entry. The Football Association has its own timeline for announcing the entry list, which is within a week after New Year's Day. However, before the announcement to the public, they will send advance notice to the clubs. Now that the time for the Football Association to announce the list is approaching, Cangzhou Mighty Lions has still not received a clear response. If there is no strong external force involved in the end, then Cangzhou's entry may really fall through. A strong external force can be understood as the directive revival of Tianjin Jinmen Tigers a few seasons ago, which was originally about to disband but was directly revived by being placed under trusteeship.
In addition to receiving 60 million yuan, Cangzhou Mighty Lions has made other efforts, such as relocating to another place. It is reported that Cangzhou Mighty Lions Club has communicated with Jiangxi, but did not reach an agreement on price after contact. Finally, there was news that Heilongjiang Ice City might relocate to Jiangxi. In fact, after this season, as many as five clubs wanted to relocate to another place, mostly clubs facing financial difficulties, but the only one that actually succeeded was probably Heilongjiang Ice City.
At such a difficult time, each team is using every means at their disposal, and relocation to another place is considered a method that should only be used as a last resort. The biggest problem for Cangzhou Mighty Lions now is whether the Football Association will strictly follow the rules. Looking at the current situation, it does not seem very favorable for the club. Once Cangzhou Mighty Lions fails to pass the entry, Meizhou Hakka will return to the Chinese Super League as a replacement, provided that the club agrees to the replacement.