China's national team footballers have been barred from getting tattoos, with those already having them asked to have them removed or covered.
Many top Chinese players, including international defender Zhang Linpeng, have sported tattoos and have previously been told to cover up while appearing for the national team and club sides.
In a statement, the China Sports Administration said that players in the national team "are strictly prohibited from having new tattoos".
"Those who have tattoos are advised to have them removed," the statement said. "In special circumstances, the tattoos must be covered during training and competition, with the consent of the rest of the team.
"National teams at all levels will strictly implement the relevant requirements of the management measures ... and fully demonstrate the positive spirit of Chinese football players and set a good example for society," the statement said.
It also said that recruitment of players with tattoos was "strictly prohibited" for teams at Under-20 level and below .
The GAS added that national teams should organise "ideological and political education activities" that would "strengthen the patriotic education" of players.
Last year, a women's university football match was called off after players were told they were not allowed to have dyed hair.
Sports stars and their tattoos
-
Miami Heat forward Chris Andersen. Reuters -
A close-up of Mike Tyson and one of his face tattoos. Getty -
David Beckham when playing for LA Galaxy .Getty -
Sunderland's Djibril Cisse. Reuters -
Athlete Inika Mcpherson of the United States. Getty -
Watford striker Andre Gray. Getty -
UFC star Conor McGregor. Getty -
Britain's star swimmer Adam Peaty. Getty -
Chile and Barcelona midfielder Arturo Vidal. AFP -
Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid. Getty -
Daniel Alves, then of Juventus. Getty -
Rugby union star Courtney Lawes of England and the British Lions. Getty -
Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic. Getty -
Bethanie Mattek-Sands of the USA. Getty -
Swedish forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic, then with Paris Saint-Germain. AFP -
Tennis star Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland. AFP -
Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi. Getty -
Natasha Kai of the USA women's football team. AFP -
LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers. Getty -
USA basketball star Carmelo Anthony. Getty -
Monta Ellis of the Golden State Warriors. Getty -
Rasheed Wallace of the Detroit Pistons. Getty
