The Chinese Football Association (CFA) has delivered a seismic blow to the professional landscape, sanctioning 13 clubs following an extensive investigation into match-fixing, illegal gambling, and systemic corruption.
The move, part of a high-profile “clean-up” of the sport, will see nine Chinese Super League (CSL) teams begin their next campaigns with negative point totals.
Heavy Penalties for League Giants
The disciplinary measures hit the league’s top tier hardest. Shanghai Shenhua and Tianjin Jinmen Tiger have both been slapped with 10-point deductions and fines reaching 1 million yuan (approximately $144,000). Other major clubs facing significant penalties include:
- Qingdao Hainiu: -7 points
- Henan FC and Shandong Taishan: -6 points
- Shanghai Port, Zhejiang FC, Beijing Guoan, and Wuhan Three Towns: -5 points each
Even relegated sides were not spared, with Changchun Yatai and Meizhou Hakka receiving deductions of four and three points, respectively. The CFA noted that the severity of these fines, ranging from 200,000 to 1 million yuan, reflects the “social impact” and seriousness of the improper transactions.
Individual Lifetime Bans and Prison Sentences
The purge extends far beyond club balance sheets. Authorities have issued lifetime bans to 73 individuals, including high-ranking officials. Most notably, former CFA president Chen Xuyuan and former national team head coach Li Tiehave been banned for life. Li Tie is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for his involvement in bribery and match manipulation.
A “Zero-Tolerance” Future
The CFA reiterated a “zero-tolerance” stance, framing these sanctions as a vital step toward restoring competition integrity. This multi-agency effort, supported by the Ministry of Public Security and the General Administration of Sport of China, signals a permanent shift in how the state monitors professional athletics.
