Rafa Benitez
FILE - In this Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019 file photo, Newcastle coach Rafael Benitez smiles prior to the start of the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle at Wembley Stadium in London. Benitez has left Chinese club Dalian Pro citing family reasons during the coronavirus pandemic. Benitez says “supporting our families has been a priority when making this decision.” Benitez had one year left on his contract with Dalian which finished 12th in the 16-team Chinese Super League last season. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland, File)
Rafa Benitez cites family, leaves Chinese club Dalian Pro

Jan. 23, 2021 08:25 AM EST

FILE - In this Oct. 2, 2014, file photo, Krasnodar's Odil Ahmedov, front, fights for the ball with Everton's Christian Atsu during the Europa League Group H soccer match between Krasnodar and Everton in Krasnodar, Russia. In a bid to complete the 2020 season in the midst of restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chinese Football Association decided to split the 16 top-tier CSL teams into two groups based in the hub cities of Dalian and Suzhou. (AP Photo/Vitaly Timkiv, File)
Back in the bubble, Chinese Super League into playoff stages

By John Duerden Oct. 20, 2020 03:22 AM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 15, 2011, file photo, Iran's team coach Afshin Ghotbi reacts against North Korea during their AFC Asian Cup group D soccer match in Doha, Qatar. An eight-month wait for the new Chinese Super League to start is nearly over, a delay nearly as long as it takes to play a regular season. And July 25 can't come soon enough for the players and coaches. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar, File)
8-month wait almost over for resumption of Chinese soccer

By John Duerden Jul. 02, 2020 10:47 PM EDT