by Andrew Crawford

Having even the remotest interest in Shanghai Shenhua should probably come with a health warning. When I die a decade prematurely, blame it on the side from the Hongkou stadium for weakening my heart and badly damaging my sanity. Shenhua is a dangerous interest to have. Believe me, its lots of fun but if you can, enjoy it in moderation.

By Andrew Crawford, writing from Shanghai

Despite the city starting to slow down for the Chinese New Year, Shanghai Shenhua's PR machine remains as busy as ever. The club's website is more brightly coloured than usual and images of the new manager, Jean Tigana, and his star player, Nicolas Anelka, flicker across the screen whilst behind them, four silhouetted figures stand in the background.

2012: Rise of the Chinese Football Empire? is a post from: Just Football

Following the arrival of Nicolas Anelka and Jean Tigana at Shanghai Shenhua, the Chinese Super League (CSL) has received more attention in a month than it has previously done in almost a decade.

The CSL itself is coming up to its ninth year as China's top league since it superseded the Jia-A League in 2003.

By Andrew Crawford, writing from Shanghai. Andrew has written for The Independent and When Saturday Comes, while also maintaining Wild East Football the only English site covering Chinese football, and he'll be featuring "Letters from Shanghai" on AFR to help track the growth of the league, as well as the stars playing there.

Race row: Luis Suárez and Patrice Evra to hear FA decision on Friday

• Liverpool's Luis Suárez continues to maintain he is innocent • Patrice Evra said he was abused '10 times' Luis Suárez will learn in the next two days whether he is to become the most high-profile footballer yet to be found guilty of racism.

Chelsea have finally confirmed the status of their veteran French bomber, Nicolas Anelka, after revealing at the club's official site that they have agreed in selling the striker to Chinese outfit, Shanghai Shenhua.

Despite confirming Anelka's departure in the upcoming January transfer window, the Blues apparently didn't revealed any more financial details which both clubs being agreed upon, although rumors claimed that Shanghai is offering wages around 175,000 a week for Anelka.

Funny how football fortunes can quickly change... Not so long ago, such a game would have been eagerly expected, for this was promising an intense and entertaining game. But shortly before Laurent Blanc announced he would be leaving the Girondins to take the reigns of the French National Team, the internal dynamics of the so far successful team started to derail.

Lorient vs Bordeaux Ligue 1- 19th February 2011 Final score:- Lorient vs Bordeaux 5-1 ( Gameiro*3, Amalfitano, Mvuemba pen/ Fernando) 2009 Champions Bordeaux were hoping to recover from the defeat at Caen, but were thrashed 5-1 by Lorient as the pressure on Jean Tigana grows. Kevin Gameiro nets three for Bordeaux.

A crucial encounter. Rather than a pleasant wine contest between Cotes du Rhône and Bordeaux, tonight's game will leave at least a big gun with a sour taste in the mouth... And, it'd better be Bordeaux, if you ask me.

Remember... this must have been a century ago : Bordeaux versus Lyon, a Champions League quarter final.

PARIS, France — Fifth-tier Chambery claimed another major French Cup scalp on Saturday, following up a success over Monaco with a penalty shootout win over another top flight side in Brest to reach the last 16 along with fellow amateurs Drancy. Bordeaux promptly became the 12th first division side to exit the tournament after they [.