There is no direct room for misunderstanding when the Chinese sports authority comments on tattooed football players in the national team.

Players are "strictly prohibited from acquiring new tattoos," the authority said in a statement.

"Those who have tattoos are encouraged to remove them," the statement reads, and in special circumstances - if the rest of the team gives their consent - it may be okay to cover the tattoos during training and matches.

Some Chinese football fans are scratching their heads over the new regulations.

"Are we choosing a good football player or a saint?", Writes a user on the Chinese platform Weibo.

"Should we perhaps say outright that only party members can play football," another asks.

Tattoos are usually something you look down on in China, but among younger people it has become increasingly common.

This year, Beijing has pushed through a lot of restrictions aimed at youth culture.

Among other things, television companies must counteract "chaotic fan culture" and a feminization of men by showing masculine ideals.

"Patriotic atmosphere, traditional Chinese culture and depictions of prominent socialist culture" are also in demand.

MORE FOOTBALL: Here Zlatan signs with a new art goal (11 December 2021)

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Here, Zlatan equalizes with an art kick between the Udinese players.

Photo: TT / moving pictures: C More