Chinese under 20s to play in German league?

Germany's fourth division Regionalliga Südwest (Southwest Regional League) could include a side from slightly further afield next season.

China's national under 20s team. [File Photo: Chinanews.com]

There are four similar fourth division leagues in Germany, and in three of them, 18 teams have qualified.

However, in the Regionalliga Südwest, 19 teams have qualified. This raises a problem because there wouldn't be an even fixture list with 19 teams.

So, a unique solution has been found.

As part of cooperation agreement signed last year between China and the German Football Association, the Chinese under 20's team looks set to be invited to play in the league.

A provisional budget of 15,000 euros for each of the other teams, to allow them to participate in away games, has been established.

If it goes ahead, the plan would bring benefits for both the Chinese and German teams.

The Chinese team would be set to gain from regular European games, whilst the German sides would have the opportunity to play against China's future international stars.

The German FA's vice-president Ronny Zimmermann, said of the plan: "The planned cooperation with China is public, and we of course need good content for it. We need to see if the idea turns into reality. The managers of the southwest division will meet soon and we'd need to have a decision by then because that's when we agree the fixture list."