*This content was translated by AI.
The Chinese Football Association has imposed severe penalties on 73 people, including a ban on lifelong soccer-related activities, in connection with the past match-fixing scandal in the Chinese Super League. For the 13 clubs, they decided to cut up to 10 points in the 2026 season.
The Chinese Football Association held a joint press conference with the Chinese Ministry of Public Security and the National Sports Administration, and imposed points cuts and fines on 13 clubs, including nine of China's top super leagues, in connection with match manipulation, gambling and irregularities, and virtually permanently expelled 73 soccer workers who were found guilty of crimes by the judiciary's final ruling.
In addition, three people who were confirmed to have committed illegal activities but were not indicted were also banned from soccer-related activities for five years. An official from the Chinese Football Association emphasized, "We will maintain a strict stance without wavering and cope with various violations of regulations with the principle of zero tolerance."
The list of permanent exits included Li Tie, a former coach of the Chinese national team who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for bribery, and Chen Xuan, a former president of the Chinese Football Association who was also sentenced to life imprisonment for bribery. Shanghai Shenhua, the runner-up in last season's Chinese professional football Super League, as well as officials and players, received 10 points cut and 1 million yuan (about 210 million won) in sanctions along with the Tianjin Jinmenhu club. Other clubs also cut 3 to 10 points and 200,000 yuan (about 4.125 million won)A penalty of one million yuan was imposed. After the disciplinary decision was confirmed, each club is issuing a series of statements to accept and apologize for the disciplinary action.
In September 2024, the Chinese Football Association announced a five-year suspension of 43 people from the soccer world permanently. Son Joon-ho (Chungnam Asan FC), who was permanently expelled for accepting non-state workers while playing for Shandong Taishan, was also included in the list at the time. Son Joon-ho held a press conference the day after his permanent expulsion and appealed for innocence, but he failed to properly explain why he received 200,000 yuan from his teammate and did not disclose his position afterward, further raising the controversy due to some dubious explanations.
<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>
*This content was translated by AI.
