Arie Haan, the outgoing head coach of Chain's national soccer team, has partly blamed the scandal-plagued domestic Super League for China's failure at the World Cup Qualifying tournament.

During an interview with China Central Television on Friday, Hann said the recent scandals in China's top professional league played a role in the national team's demise.

"Of course it's had an influence on the national team, the players," he told CCTV. "A lot of players are not being paid, a lot of players don't want to play because they're not satisfied with the circumstances, the referees."

In October, seven clubs complained that corruption in the new Chinese Super League was rife. They threatened a boycott but backed down after emergency talks with the China Football Association (CFA).

The clubs blame the state-run CFA for failing to crack down on the so-called "black whistles", or bribed referees.

"It's very sad for the development of Chinese football, on the other hand, I think it was even a good year," Hann said as he pointed out that his side had entered the final of the Asia Cup. "That should not be considered a bad result."

"They have to go on, not to start at zero again" said the outgoing Dutchman.

China's 7-0 demolition of Hong Kong on Wednesday was not enough to send them through to the next round of Asian qualifiers because Kuwait thrashed Malaysia 6-1.

Source: Xinhua/em>