The Chinese Super League has announced that Tianjin Teda have been found guilty of breaching the league's safety regulations and will be relegated to the third tier for the 2019 season.
The decision was made after a review of the club's conduct during the previous campaign, which saw them fail to meet certain standards set by the league's health and safety committee.
As a result of this ruling, Tianjin Teda will face a two-year ban from the CSL, meaning they will not be able to compete in the top flight until the end of the 2021 season.
However, it is important to note that this does not mean that Tianjin Teda will automatically be relegated to the third tier of Chinese football. The club can still appeal against the decision and may be given a chance to regain their place in the top flight if they can demonstrate that they have taken steps to improve their safety practices.
This announcement comes as a shock to many fans of the club, who had hoped that Tianjin Teda would be able to stay in the top flight for another year. However, it is clear that the league takes its safety regulations very seriously and will not hesitate to take action against clubs that do not comply with them.
Overall, this ruling highlights the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of players and staff in all levels of football. It also serves as a reminder that clubs must take responsibility for the welfare of those involved in their sport and make sure that they are operating in a safe and healthy environment.