The Guangdong Province-based Guoan Football Club has announced that they will not be participating in the Chinese Super League (CSL) next season, ending their hopes for a title race.

The club's decision to drop out was made after consulting with their fans and stakeholders, who expressed concerns about the financial stability of the team. The club's chairman, Wang Shun, said: "We have carefully considered all options available to us and have come to the conclusion that it is in the best interests of our club and its supporters to discontinue our participation in the CSL."

Despite their decision to withdraw from the CSL, Guoan still has a chance to win the league if they can maintain their current form throughout the rest of the season. However, this would require them to overcome several challenges, including a difficult schedule and potential relegation to the second tier of Chinese football.

Wang Shun also acknowledged that the club's withdrawal from the CSL was a difficult decision, but one that had been necessary for the long-term health of the team. He added: "We understand that this decision may be disappointing for some fans, but we believe that it is the right thing to do for the future of the club."

Overall, Guoan's withdrawal from the CSL highlights the growing concern among clubs over the financial stability of the league. As more teams struggle to make ends meet, it remains to be seen whether the CSL will be able to weather this storm and continue to thrive as a top-tier football competition.