ASIA’S soccer body Tuesday said it has terminated the contract of cash-strapped LeSports to broadcast its games in China and found a new partner after reports of payment defaults and legal action.

    The Asian Football Confederation said it had “no alternative” but to end its US$100 million, four-year deal with China’s LeSports, which was due to run until 2020.

    The incident follows rocketing prices in China’s sports sector, and a warning in official media of a “bubble” in Chinese soccer after spending topped US$1 billion last year.

    China Sports Media (CSM) will now replace LeSports to broadcast games, including the AFC Champions League, World Cup qualifiers and the 2019 Asian Cup. “The new deal was agreed with CSM Chairman Li Yidong and means that there will be uninterrupted coverage of this week’s AFC Champions League fixtures in China,” an AFC statement said.

    “We have let you all down,” LeSports said in a statement.

    (SD-Agencies)