RPT-FEATURE-Soccer-Hard times for China's clubs as game declines

(Repeats feature first moved at 0002 GMT)

By Liu Zhen

BEIJING, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Another miserable soccer season in China drew to an underwhelming close when Shandong Luneng claimed the Chinese Super League (CSL) title with a goalless home draw at the weekend.

Failure for the national and Olympic teams has combined with continuing violence, protests, crime and allegations of corruption on the domestic front to confound the efforts of officials and clubs to arrest the decline of the game in China.

The negative image of soccer among the Chinese and the consequent declining attendances at games are behind the struggle to attract money into the sport and several clubs face a bleak future.

Shenzhen, champions in 2004, may end up being dissolved as their main investor has announced he wants to offload the club after losing 35 million yuan ($5.12 million) running it for the past three years.

"Even if someone gives me money, I just do not want to be troubled by Chinese football any longer," said Yang Saixin, who bought Shenzhen from the previous owner for a nominal one yuan.

Liaoning, who had for years lingered in the top flight by selling their best players, made no money at all this season and were relegated.

Officials sent a letter to fans blaming the club's demise on the depressed climate of Chinese football and their own poor management.