The first FMMI-Titan poll of Chinese football fans shattered a few illusions as Serie A and AC Milan finished well ahead of the English Premier League and Manchester United in the popularity stakes.
The poll was conducted on sports media group Titan’s web site.
The Italian league attracted the support of 51 percent of the vote against 33 percent from the Premiership.
Spain came third with 12 percent, and Germany four percent.
In the ‘favourite European club’ stakes Milan’s victory was comprehensive as they took 28.2 percent ahead of nearest rivals Real Madrid (18.5 percent), Manchester United (11 percent), Inter Milan (11 percent) and Arsenal (10.7 percent).
Juventus (6.6 percent) and Bayern Munich (3.6 percent) were the only other clubs to enjoy a significant measure of commitment from Chinese fans.
Although 85 percent of Chinese football fans followed their European favourites closely, usually through television coverage of matches, 77 pecent support more than one club.
For 55 percent of fans it was the presence of a particular ‘star player’ that determined their support rather than the club itself.
Unsurprisingly, the two clubs Chinese fans want to see visit China the most are the star studded giants Real Madrid (27 percent) and AC Milan (24 percent). Top English sides were equally predictable – Manchester United (10 percent) and Arsenal (8 percent).
