The China's Football Association (CFA) has decided to put fresh limitation on foreign players allowed to play per domestic games, reducing the number from five to three, as it seeks to encourage domestic talent through its lucrative Chinese Super League.     

The new rule is likely to be implemented in the Chinese Super League's 2017 season that is set to begin in March.

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Under the current 'five player' rule, three foreign players as well as one Asian player are allowed to play at a given point of time, a system that is also popularly referred as "3+1" rule. The clubs are also free to use a fifth foreign player as a "substitute" as long as the "3+1" rule is maintained.

The CFA said on Monday that Chinese clubs can still include five foreign players in their squad but cannot make all of them play in one game. The soccer regulatory body has also ordered clubs to include two under 23-age local players in their match day squad, one of whom will have to feature in the playing 11.  

The CFA's decision to impose limitation on foreign players come barely weeks after the government announced that it would discourage Chinese clubs from overspending in the ongoing January transfer market.

Chinese club's insane spending has become a talking point in the football world, with many football pundits accusing that Chinese club's propensity to attract foreign players is coming at the cost of domestic talent.    

The Far East clubs have already snatched high-profile players like Oscar, Carlos Tevez, and John Obi Mikel during the January transfer market. The Chelsea's Oscar signing by Shanghai SIPG again set a new transfer record, with Brazilian international becoming one of the highest paid players in the football world.         

TagsChinese Super League, Chinese Club, Foreign Players, china