# 2017 China Amateur Football League

The 2017 China Amateur Football League season, also known as Shan Lin Financial China Amateur Football League for sponsorship reasons, was the 16th season since its establishment in 2002. It is the highest amateur association football league in PR China with some semi-professional clubs. 50 clubs were qualified for the second round.

## Format

The qualification structure is as follows:
* First round: Chinese Football Association subordinate Provincial, City League, champion will advance to the second round.
* Second round: It is divided into eight groups. The top two teams of each group will advance to Third round.
* Third round: The third round is a two-legged elimination. The four winners may be qualify for the 2018 China League Two.
* Play-offs: 2017 League Two 23rd-placed and 24th-placed faces 2017 CAL 5th-placed and 6th-placed for a play-off match. The winner may be qualify for the 2018 China League Two.

## First round

China Amateur Football League includes 44 regional leagues. 2016 or 2017 season champion will advance to the second round.

### Teams qualified for the second round

| Groups | No | FA | Name | Qualifying method | Position | Remark |
| North 1 Heilongjiang Qiqihar | 1 | Heilongjiang FA | Qiqihaer Zhongjian Bituminous Concrete | 2017 China Amateur League (Qiqihar Group) | Winners | Hosts |
| North 1 Heilongjiang Qiqihar | 2 | Heilongjiang FA | Daqing Shuaitong | 2017 Daqing Football Super League | Runners-up | |
| North 1 Heilongjiang Qiqihar | 3 | Inner Mongolia FA | Chifeng Hongshan Shire | 2016 Nei Mongol Football Super League | Third place | |
| North 1 Heilongjiang Qiqihar | 4 | Inner Mongolia FA | Tongliao Lan'ao | 2016 Nei Mongol Football Super League | Winners | |
| North 1 Heilongjiang Qiqihar | 5 | Yanbian FA | Yanbian Beiguo | 2017 Yanbian Amateur Super League | Winners | |
| North 1 Heilongjiang Qiqihar | 6 | Liaoning FA | Shenyang Junhui | 2017 Liaoning Provincial Amateur League | Winners | |
| North 2 Liaoning Shenyang | 1 | Shenyang FA | Shenyang West Winner | 2017 Liaoning Provincial Amateur League | Runners-up | Hosts |
| North 2 Liaoning Shenyang | 2 | Shenyang FA | Shenyang Zhuowei | | | |
| North 2 Liaoning Shenyang | 3 | Dalian FA | Dalian Longjuanfeng | 2016 Dalian City Super League | Runners-up | |
| North 2 Liaoning Shenyang | 4 | Dalian FA | Dalian Ruiheng | 2016 Dalian City Super League | Third place | |
| North 2 Liaoning Shenyang | 5 | Tianjin FA | Tianjin Bintaishun | 2017 Tianjin Amateur Super League | Winners | |
| North 2 Liaoning Shenyang | 6 | Changchun FA | Changchun Shanghai Yongtai | 2017 Changchun Amateur Football League | Fourth place | |
| North 3 Qinghai Xining | 1 | Qinghai FA | Qinghai Zhuangbo | 2017 Qinghai Provincial Amateur League | Winners | Hosts |
| North 3 Qinghai Xining | 2 | Qinghai FA | Qinghai Honghua | 2017 Qinghai Provincial Amateur League | Runners-up | |
| North 3 Qinghai Xining | 3 | Ningxia FA | Yinchuan Sanyuan | 2017 Ningxia Football Super League | | |
| North 3 Qinghai Xining | 4 | Xi'an FA | Xi'an Anxinyuan | | | |
| North 3 Qinghai Xining | 5 | Shannxi FA | Shaanxi Nanzhiqin | | | |
| North 3 Qinghai Xining | 6 | Zhejiang FA | Zhejiang Dacheng | 2016 Zhejiang FA Cup | Third place | |
| North 4 Shandong Zibo | 1 | Shandong FA | Zibo Sunday | 2016 Shandong Amateur Super League | Winners | Hosts |
| North 4 Shandong Zibo | 2 | Shandong FA | Zibo Qi Eagle | 2016 Shandong Amateur Super League | Runners-up | |
| North 4 Shandong Zibo | 3 | Hebei FA | Hebei Lion | 2017 Hebei FA Amateur League | Winners | |
| North 4 Shandong Zibo | 4 | Qingdao FA | Qingdao Red Lions | 2017 Qingdao Football Association City League | Runners-up | |
| North 4 Shandong Zibo | 5 | Qingdao FA | Qingdao Kangtine | 2017 Qingdao Football Association City League | Third place | |
| North 4 Shandong Zibo | 6 | Shanxi FA | Jinzhong Jinzhihu | 2017 Shanxi Provincial FA Cup | Winners | |
| North 4 Shandong Zibo | 7 | Henan FA | Henan Orient Classic | 2016 Henan Provincial Amateur League | Winners | Seeded |
| North 4 Shandong Zibo | 8 | Henan FA | Luoyang Tourism Development | | | |
| South 1 Zhejiang Hangzhou | 1 | Zhejiang FA | Ningbo Yinbo | 2016 Zhejiang Provincial Super League | Winners | |
| South 1 Zhejiang Hangzhou | 2 | Zhejiang FA | Hangzhou Wuyue Qiantang | 2016 Zhejiang Provincial Super League | Runners-up | Hosts |
| South 1 Zhejiang Hangzhou | 3 | Jiangsu FA | Wuxi Yunlin Yinyang | 2016 Jiangsu Provincial Amateur League | Runners-up | Seeded |
| South 1 Zhejiang Hangzhou | 4 | Nanjing FA | Nanjing Shaye | 2017 Nanjing City Super League | Winners | |
| South 1 Zhejiang Hangzhou | 5 | Shanghai FA | Shanghai Jiading Boji | 2017 Shanghai City Football League | Winners | |
| South 1 Zhejiang Hangzhou | 6 | Fujian FA | Fujian Tianxin | 2017 Fujian Provincial Super League | Winners | |
| South 2 Hubei Wuhan | 1 | Wuhan FA | Wuhan Chufeng Heli | 2017 Wuhan City Super League | Winners | Hosts |
| South 2 Hubei Wuhan | 2 | Wuhan FA | Wuhan Bofa | 2017 Wuhan City Super League | 8th | |
| South 2 Hubei Wuhan | 3 | Anhui FA | Anhui Hefei Guiguan | 2017 Anhui Provincial Amateur League | Winners | Seeded |
| South 2 Hubei Wuhan | 4 | Hubei FA | Hubei Huachuang | 2017 Hubei Provincial Amateur League Play-off | Winners | |
| South 2 Hubei Wuhan | 5 | Chongqing FA | Chongqing Dikai | 2017 Chongqing City Super League | 6th | |
| South 2 Hubei Wuhan | 6 | Guangzhou FA | Guangzhou Glorious | | | |
| South 3 Sichuan Chengdu | 1 | Sichuan FA | Sichuan Jiuniu | 2016 Sichuan Provincial Football League | Winners | Hosts |
| South 3 Sichuan Chengdu | 2 | Chengdu FA | Sichuan Jinguancheng | 2016 Chengdu City Super League | Runners-up | |
| South 3 Sichuan Chengdu | 3 | Guangxi FA | Pingxiang Xiongying | 2017 Guangxi Super League | Winners | |
| South 3 Sichuan Chengdu | 4 | Guangxi FA | Liuzhou Ranko | 2017 Guangxi Super League | Runners-up | Seeded |
| South 3 Sichuan Chengdu | 5 | Tibet FA | Lhasa Urban Construction Investment | | | |
| South 3 Sichuan Chengdu | 6 | Kunming FA | Kunming Dongyuan | 2017 China Amateur League (Kunming Group) | Winners | |
| South 4 Guangdong Huizhou | 1 | Guangdong FA | Zhanjiang Crazy Wolf | 2016-17 Guangdong Provincial Football League | Runners-up | |
| South 4 Guangdong Huizhou | 2 | Guangdong FA | Zhaoqing Hengtai | 2016-17 Guangdong Provincial Football League | Winners | Hosts |
| South 4 Guangdong Huizhou | 3 | Shenzhen FA | Shenzhen Pengcheng | 2017 Shenzhen City Super League | Winners | |
| South 4 Guangdong Huizhou | 4 | Shenzhen FA | Shenzhen Xingmeng Yangguang | 2017 Shenzhen City Super League | Runners-up | |
| South 4 Guangdong Huizhou | 5 | Xiamen FA | Xiamen Tianyu | 2016 Xiamen City Amateur League | Fourth place | |
| South 4 Guangdong Huizhou | 6 | Xiamen FA | Xiamen Lianchuang Century | 2016 Xiamen City Amateur League | Winners | |
Source: fa.org.cn

## Second round
### North 1
#### Group A

| Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | |
| Qiqihaer Zhongjian Bituminous Concrete (Q) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | +6 | 6 | Third round |
| Tongliao Lan'ao | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 1 | |
| Shenyang Junhui | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 1 | |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Goal difference; 6) Goals scored; 7) Disciplinary points (1 point for each yellow card, 3 points for each red card); 8) Draw

#### Group B

| Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | |
| Yanbian Beiguo (Q, P) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | +7 | 6 | Third round |
| Chifeng Hongshan Shire | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 5 | -3 | 3 | |
| Daqing Shuaitong | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | -4 | 0 | |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Goal difference; 6) Goals scored; 7) Disciplinary points (1 point for each yellow card, 3 points for each red card); 8) Draw

#### Final
### North 2
#### Group A

| Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | |
| Dalian Ruiheng (Q) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 6 | Third round |
| Tianjin Bintaishun | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 3 | |
| Shenyang West Winner | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 0 | |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Goal difference; 6) Goals scored; 7) Disciplinary points (1 point for each yellow card, 3 points for each red card); 8) Draw

#### Group B

| Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | |
| Dalian Longjuanfeng (Q) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 3 | +7 | 6 | Third round |
| Shenyang Zhuowei | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 3 | |
| Changchun Shanghai Yongtai | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 10 | -8 | 0 | |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Goal difference; 6) Goals scored; 7) Disciplinary points (1 point for each yellow card, 3 points for each red card); 8) Draw

#### Final
### North 3
#### Group A

| Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | |
| Shaanxi Nanzhiqin (Q) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 4 | +3 | 6 | Third round |
| Yinchuan Sanyuan | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 3 | |
| Qinghai Honghua | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 7 | -5 | 0 | |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Goal difference; 6) Goals scored; 7) Disciplinary points (1 point for each yellow card, 3 points for each red card); 8) Draw

#### Group B

| Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | |
| Qinghai Zhuangbo (Q) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | +9 | 6 | Third round |
| Zhejiang Dacheng | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 3 | |
| Xi'an Anxinyuan | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8 | -8 | 0 | |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Goal difference; 6) Goals scored; 7) Disciplinary points (1 point for each yellow card, 3 points for each red card); 8) Draw

#### Final
### North 4
#### Group A

| Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | |
| Qingdao Kangtine (Q) | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 2 | +8 | 7 | Third round |
| Hebei Lion | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 2 | +5 | 5 | |
| Zibo Qi Eagle | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 | |
| Henan Orient Classic | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 15 | -13 | 0 | |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Goal difference; 6) Goals scored; 7) Disciplinary points (1 point for each yellow card, 3 points for each red card); 8) Draw

#### Group B

| Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | |
| Zibo Sunday (Q, C, P) | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | +8 | 9 | Third round |
| Qingdao Red Lions | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 2 | +9 | 6 | |
| Luoyang Tourism Development | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | -1 | 3 | |
| Jinzhong Jinzhihu | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 16 | -16 | 0 | |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Goal difference; 6) Goals scored; 7) Disciplinary points (1 point for each yellow card, 3 points for each red card); 8) Draw

#### Final
### South 1
#### Group A

| Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | |
| Nanjing Shaye (Q) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 6 | Third round |
| Shanghai Jiading Boji | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 1 | |
| Hangzhou Wuyue Qiantang | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 1 | |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Goal difference; 6) Goals scored; 7) Disciplinary points (1 point for each yellow card, 3 points for each red card); 8) Draw

#### Group B

| Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | |
| Fujian Tianxin (Q, P) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | +4 | 6 | Third round |
| Ningbo Yinbo | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 3 | |
| Wuxi Yunlin Yinyang | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 0 | |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Goal difference; 6) Goals scored; 7) Disciplinary points (1 point for each yellow card, 3 points for each red card); 8) Draw

#### Final
### South 2
#### Group A

| Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | |
| Wuhan Chufeng Heli (Q) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | +4 | 6 | Third round |
| Guangzhou Glorious | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 3 | |
| Hubei Huachuang | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | -5 | 0 | |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Goal difference; 6) Goals scored; 7) Disciplinary points (1 point for each yellow card, 3 points for each red card); 8) Draw

#### Group B

| Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | |
| Anhui Hefei Guiguan (Q, P) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 2 | +6 | 6 | Third round |
| Chongqing Dikai | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 7 | -2 | 3 | |
| Wuhan Bofa | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | -4 | 0 | |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Goal difference; 6) Goals scored; 7) Disciplinary points (1 point for each yellow card, 3 points for each red card); 8) Draw

#### Final
### South 3
#### Group A

| Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | |
| Sichuan Jiuniu (Q, P) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 1 | +10 | 6 | Third round |
| Kunming Dongyuan | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 2 | +4 | 3 | |
| Pingxiang Xiongying | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 14 | -14 | 0 | |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Goal difference; 6) Goals scored; 7) Disciplinary points (1 point for each yellow card, 3 points for each red card); 8) Draw

#### Group B

| Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | |
| Lhasa Urban Construction Investment (Q) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | +8 | 6 | Third round |
| Liuzhou Ranko | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 1 | |
| Sichuan Jinguancheng | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | -5 | 1 | |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Goal difference; 6) Goals scored; 7) Disciplinary points (1 point for each yellow card, 3 points for each red card); 8) Draw

#### Final
### South 4
#### Group A

| Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | |
| Zhaoqing Hengtai (Q) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | +6 | 6 | Third round |
| Shenzhen Xingmeng Yangguang | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 2 | +5 | 3 | |
| Xiamen Tianyu | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 11 | -11 | 0 | |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Goal difference; 6) Goals scored; 7) Disciplinary points (1 point for each yellow card, 3 points for each red card); 8) Draw

#### Group B

| Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | |
| Shenzhen Pengcheng (Q, P) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 6 | Third round |
| Xiamen Lianchuang Century | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | |
| Zhanjiang Crazy Wolf | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 0 | |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Goal difference; 6) Goals scored; 7) Disciplinary points (1 point for each yellow card, 3 points for each red card); 8) Draw

#### Final
### Teams qualified for the Third round

| North | North | South | South |
| Seeded | Unseeded | Seeded | Unseeded |
| Qiqihaer Zhongjian Bituminous Concrete Dalian Longjuanfeng Qinghai Zhuangbo Zibo Sunday | Yanbian Beiguo Dalian Ruiheng Shaanxi Nanzhiqin Qingdao Kangtine | Fujian Tianxin Anhui Hefei Guiguan Sichuan Jiuniu Shenzhen Pengcheng | Nanjing Shaye Wuhan Chufeng Heli Lhasa Urban Construction Investment Zhaoqing Hengtai |

## Third round
### Round of 16

| Team 1 | Agg.Tooltip Aggregate score | Team 2 | 1st leg | 2nd leg |
| North |||||
| Dalian Ruiheng | 0–4 | Qiqihaer Zhongjian Bituminous Concrete | 0–3 | 0–1 |
| Yanbian Beiguo | 2–2 (5–3 p) | Dalian Longjuanfeng | 1–1 | 1–1 |
| Shaanxi Nanzhiqin | 0–9 | Zibo Sunday | 0–5 | 0–4 |
| Qingdao Kangtine | 2–3 | Qinghai Zhuangbo | 2–2 | 0–1 |
| South |||||
| Wuhan Chufeng Heli | 2–3 | Fujian Tianxin | 1–1 | 1–2 |
| Nanjing Shaye | 0–1 | Anhui Hefei Guiguan | 0–0 | 0–1 |
| Lhasa Urban Construction Investment | 4–3 | Shenzhen Pengcheng | 3–1 | 1–2 |
| Zhaoqing Hengtai | 4–3 | Sichuan Jiuniu | 2–1 | 2–2 |

#### Matches

Qiqihaer Zhongjian Bituminous Concrete won 4–0 on aggregate.
2–2 on aggregate. Yanbian Beiguo won 5–3 on penalties.
Zibo Sunday won 9–0 on aggregate.
Qinghai Zhuangbo won 3–2 on aggregate.
Fujian Tianxin won 3–2 on aggregate.
Anhui Hefei Guiguan won 1–0 on aggregate.
Lhasa Urban Construction Investment won 4–3 on aggregate.
Zhaoqing Hengtai won 4–3 on aggregate.

### Quarter-finals

| Team 1 | Agg.Tooltip Aggregate score | Team 2 | 1st leg | 2nd leg |
| Fujian Tianxin | 1–3 | Qiqihaer Zhongjian Bituminous Concrete | 1–3 | 0–0 |
| Yanbian Beiguo | 3–3 (3–4 p) | Anhui Hefei Guiguan | 2–1 | 1–2 |
| Lhasa Urban Construction Investment | 0–1 | Zibo Sunday | 0–0 | 0–1 |
| Qinghai Zhuangbo | 0–0 (3–5 p) | Zhaoqing Hengtai | 0–0 | 0–0 |

#### Matches

Qiqihaer Zhongjian Bituminous Concrete won 3–1 on aggregate.
3–3 on aggregate. Anhui Hefei Guiguan won 4–3 on penalties.
Zibo Sunday won 1–0 on aggregate.
0–0 on aggregate. Zhaoqing Hengtai won 5–3 on penalties.

### 5th–6th place

2017 CAL 5th-placed and 6th-placed faces 2017 League Two 23rd-placed and 24th-placed for a play-off match. The winner may be qualify for the 2018 China League Two. See 2017 China League Two#Relegation play-off.

### Semi-finals

| Team 1 | Agg.Tooltip Aggregate score | Team 2 | 1st leg | 2nd leg |
| Qiqihaer Zhongjian Bituminous Concrete | 1–2 | Anhui Hefei Guiguan | 1–1 | 0–1 |
| Zibo Sunday | 2–1 | Zhaoqing Hengtai | 0–1 | 2–0 |

#### Matches

Anhui Hefei Guiguan won 2–1 on aggregate.
Zibo Sunday won 2–1 on aggregate.

### Third-Place Match

| Team 1 | Agg.Tooltip Aggregate score | Team 2 | 1st leg | 2nd leg |
| Zhaoqing Hengtai | 2–3 | Qiqihaer Zhongjian Bituminous Concrete | 1–1 | 1–2 |
Qiqihaer Zhongjian Bituminous Concrete won 3–2 on aggregate.

### Final Match

| Team 1 | Agg.Tooltip Aggregate score | Team 2 | 1st leg | 2nd leg |
| Anhui Hefei Guiguan | 1–2 | Zibo Sunday | 0–1 | 1–1 |
Zibo Sunday won 2–1 on aggregate.

#### Notes

* ^ Anhui Hefei Guiguan abdicated to play at their home stadium.