China bans tattoos among players

BEIJING (Reuters) - Government authorities in China decided on Thursday to ban new tattoos of soccer players on all national teams, with players who have already received tattoos earlier asking that they be erased.

"Members of the national team and the under-23 youth team are strictly prohibited from obtaining new tattoos, and those who already have tattoos have been advised to erase the tattoos themselves," the General Directorate of Sports of China said in a statement Thursday.

The statement called on those in charge of the under-20 youth team and the younger teams, to ban calling any player who has a tattoo on his body.

The General Directorate of Sports of China noted earlier this week that soccer players "should be a good role model for society."

The Chinese government has criticized tattoos on celebrities and the younger generation in recent months, with tattoos being blurred in TV footage, as well as requiring soccer players to cover their arms if they have tattoos.

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