China bans footballers in national teams from getting tattoos

Authorities also tell inked players to remove or cover up their designs to set a good example for society'

Chinese authorities have banned footballers from getting tattoos and instructed national team players who have been inked to remove them or cover them up to set a good example for society".

A growing number of high-profile Chinese players have tattoos, including the international defender Zhang Linpeng, who has previously been told to cover up while appearing for the national team and his club Guangzhou FC.