China Evergrande’s Soccer Club Seeking Government Aid to Survive

  • Club’s fate in question as Evergrande struggles to repay debt
  • Guangzhou team had symbolized China’s drive for football glory

Guangzhou Evergrande huddle before a game in Doha in 2020. 

Photographer: Simon Holmes/Getty Images

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A soccer club owned by cash-strapped developer China Evergrande Group is seeking a government takeover to help the once high-flying franchise survive its parent company’s financial troubles.

Speculation about the request arose this week when a letter began circulating online that appeared to have been written by the head of the soccer association in Guangzhou, the southern city where the club is based.