In a sweeping anti-corruption campaign, Chinese football authorities have imposed severe penalties on individuals and clubs involved in match-fixing and corrupt practices. The Chinese Football Association (CFA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Security and the General Administration of Sport, announced the measures at a press conference in Beijing.
Lifetime Bans for High-Profile Figures
The CFA has issued lifetime bans on 73 people from participating in any football-related activities. Among those banned are former national team coach Li Tie, who also played for Everton, and Chen Xuyuan, the former president of the Chinese Football Association. Both individuals were convicted in 2024 for accepting millions of dollars in bribes, with Li Tie sentenced to 20 years in prison and Chen Xuyuan receiving a life term.
A senior official from the Ministry of Public Security stated, "The Ministry of Public Security will continue to work with sports administrative departments to maintain a high-pressure stance of strict law enforcement and severe punishment, effectively support and advance these efforts thoroughly and concretely." This move is part of a broader initiative to combat match-fixing, betting, and corrupt refereeing in football.
Punishments for Chinese Super League Clubs
Thirteen football clubs have been sanctioned, with nine top-tier teams in the Chinese Super League (CSL) facing point deductions for the upcoming season. The hardest-hit clubs include Shanghai Shenhua and Tianjin Jimen Tiger, both starting with a deduction of 10 points. Qingdao Hainiu will begin with minus-7 points, while Henan FC and Shandong Taishan are on minus-6 points.
Champions Shanghai Port, along with Zheijiang FC, Beijing Guian, and Wuhan Three Towns, have been penalized with a loss of five points each. These clubs were found guilty of using a third-party company to sign players, circumventing salary caps and raising player salaries during the 2023-2024 season.
Additionally, Changchun Yati and Meizhou Haka, who were relegated to China League One last year, have been deducted four and three points, respectively. All sanctioned clubs also face fines ranging from 200,000 yuan to 1 million yuan (approximately HK$1.12 million).
Reactions and Broader Implications
A CFA official explained that the range of punishments reflects the "nature, seriousness and social impact of the improper transactions in which each club was involved." However, the sanctions have sparked mixed reactions. Cameron Wilson, a well-known commentator on Chinese football, criticized the move on social media platform X, stating it was evidence of politics "screwing over Chinese football." He argued that innocent fans and the entire Chinese game are being penalized instead of solely punishing the guilty individuals, rendering the 2026 season meaningless before it even begins.
In contrast, the General Administration of Sport emphasized its firm determination to rectify professional conduct and ethics in football. The administration plans to tighten supervisory responsibilities at all levels, including sports administrative departments, football associations, and the Chinese Football League, to improve efforts against match-fixing, betting, and corrupt refereeing offenses.
This announcement follows previous lifetime bans issued in September 2024 to 43 players and officials for similar match-fixing offenses, highlighting the ongoing nature of China's anti-corruption campaign in sports.
