Liu Shijun, president and broker of GreatGate Company of Britain, told reporters February 13 that the ban issued by China Football Association (CFA) on players' transfer to foreign soccer clubs has made the transfer to the Crystal Palace impossible for Sun Jihai and Li Ming of Dalian Shide.

According to Liu, Sun and Li have expressed their stand clear to CFA that they firmly support CFA's stipulation and that they have decided not to go abroad; regarding the matter the two have also made their attitude clear to the GreatGate Company, so "there is no possibility at all for them to go to Britain in this competition season"..

Missing this opportunity, they might likewise be unable to join the Crystal Palace next time. The two are asked to come because currently the posts are vacant, now that they are known to be unable to come, new players will definitely be chosen for the sake of the games", Liu added.

However, it is certain that Sun Jihai will still have the opportunity in the future "because he is young and skillful enough for the competition, he could have other chances even though he cannot go to the Crystal Palace this time", Liu stressed.

(People's Daily 02/15/01)