Evergrande chief orders clearout

Guangzhou Evergrande owner Xu Jiayin has vowed to axe the team's under-performing foreign stars and ordered management to impose a new military-like, closed-door regime at the club.

A third of the way through the season, the seven-time reigning CSL champion is languishing in fifth place in the standings, five points off leader Shanghai SIPG, and has also been knocked out of the Asian Champions League and Chinese FA Cup.

Xu, a real estate tycoon, has decided enough is enough, telling management to "adjust" foreign imports that include Brazilian pair Ricardo Goulart and Alan, and warning older domestic players are in danger of the chop too.