This undated photo shows Chinese Football Association Secretary-General Liu Yi speaking at a press conference. (CAO CAN / XINHUA)

BEIJING - Chinese Football Association (CFA) Secretary-General Liu Yi has expressed concern about the top league's players' mental well-being as they have to play a heavily congested schedule behind closed doors for over two months.

The players are also human beings, so they may need to relax, such as having some drinks or something else, and could let themselves loose from the restrictions against the virus. This could be a challenge.

Liu Yi, Secretary-general, Chinese Football Association

The 16 Chinese Super League teams have been divided into two groups, each group of eight teams to be based respectively in two different cities, to play a truncated campaign during the first phase from July 25 to Sept 28.

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The players, media and staff, who will not be allowed to leave the designated hotels, training grounds and stadiums, will be cut off from contact with the outside during the spell to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

"With two or three weeks into the campaign, the players tend to get physically and mentally fatigued," said Liu.

"The players are also human beings, so they may need to relax, such as having some drinks or something else, and could let themselves loose from the restrictions against the virus. This could be a challenge," he said.

Liu said CSL organizers have treated this issue with great concern.

A variety of recreational facilities including karaoke, reading rooms, swimming pools and badminton courts have been installed in the team hotels, said Liu.  

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