大象传媒

Footballers who play for China's national team have been banned from getting tattoos, and advised to remove ones they have, under a new directive. The country's sports administration body said recruiting new players with tattoos at national level and to youth squads was forbidden. In Chinese culture a stigma has been attached to tattoos - in the past they were used to brand criminals and the tattoo still has links to organised crime groups in east Asia. Tatoos are disapproved of by China's ruling Communist Party, which is keen to improve the image of the game, but they have become increasingly popular among young Chinese.

大象传媒 reporter David Lewis explains why the authorities have issued the new directive, and how all football teams have been asked to "organise ideological and political education activities" too. He says the number of players with tattoos has been creeping up, with player Zhang Linpeng one of the most high profile. He has full sleeves of ink on both arms.

Photo: Chinese player Zhang Linpeng, well known for his full sleeve tattoos Credit: Getty Images