Aleksander Ceferin, president of the European football governing body, UEFA, has advised the Saudi Arabia pro-league to not go the way of the Chinese League.
The football chief was referring to their recent heavy spending in luring players from Europe to play in their league.
Ceferin said the Chinese League made the same mistakes and said “that’s not the right way to do it”.
Multiple-time world best player, Cristiano Ronaldo now plays in the league, as well as a host of other players who moved to the topflight this summer.
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“It’s not a threat, we saw a similar approach in China,” Ceferin told L’Equipe.
“They bought players at the end of their careers by offering them a lot of money. Chinese football didn’t develop and didn’t qualify for the World Cup afterwards.
“That’s not the right way to do it. They should work on player and coach development, but that’s not my problem.”
Spending by Chinese Super League clubs was curbed by a transfer tax in 2017 but the Saudi Pro League has a long-term investment plan, with Michael Emenalo appointed as director of football to lead its acquisition and youth development strategy.
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