China imposes strict penalties on top football clubs amid corruption allegations

Chinese Football Association Issues Lifetime Bans for Match-Fixing

The Chinese Football Association has announced lifetime bans for 73 individuals, including former national team coach Li Tie, in connection with match-fixing and corruption. The ban includes 72 others, as well as Chen Xuyuan, the former chairman of the CFA, who is serving a life sentence for accepting bribes.

A statement from the CFA stated that the bans were issued after a “systematic review” to enforce industry discipline, purify the football environment, and maintain fair competition. The punishments include 13 professional clubs, which will have points docked and be fined.

The affected clubs include Tianjin Jinmen Tiger, Shanghai Shenhua, and Shanghai Port, among others. The CFA did not specify the details of the infractions, but stated that they related to “match-fixing, gambling, and bribery”. The punishments were based on the amount, circumstances, nature, and social impact of the improper transactions involved.

The Chinese Football Association has been conducting an anticorruption crackdown in recent years, exposing corruption and match-fixing in the professional game. Several top officials have been brought down, while dozens of players have been banned for match-fixing and gambling.

President Xi Jinping’s administration has emphasized the importance of maintaining fair competition and enforcing industry discipline. The CFA stated that it will continue to investigate and deal with any violations of discipline or regulations in football as soon as they are discovered.

The lifetime bans and punishments come after Guangzhou FC, one of China’s most successful clubs, folded in 2025 due to financial difficulties. The Chinese national team did not qualify for the World Cup this summer.

Source: Al Jazeera