Chinese state media reported on Tuesday that the Chinese football authorities have banned 43 individuals for life due to their involvement in gambling and match-fixing scandals.
This list includes three former China international footballers and South Korean World Cup player Son Jun-ho.
China’s extensive football corruption crackdown campaign has been ongoing since 2022. The National Sports General Administration and the Ministry of Public Security have led efforts to address issues of match-fixing and gambling in the sport. They have investigated over 120 matches, involving 83 players, referees, coaches, and club officials. To date, 44 individuals have been sentenced, with 34 receiving prison terms.
The recent announcement of these lifetime bans came shortly after the national team’s 7-0 loss to Japan.
Son Jun-ho, who played for Shandong Taishan in the Chinese Super League and represented South Korea in the 2022 World Cup, has been accused of participating in match-fixing and accepting bribes. Son returned to South Korea in March 2024 after being detained in China since May 2023. The authorities initially stated that he was held “on suspicion of accepting bribes by non-state employees” but did not provide further details.
Other notable figures banned include Jin Jingdao, a former Shandong Taishan player, and Chinese international players Guo Tianyu and Gu Chao.
High-Level corruption investigations
The Chinese Football Association (CFA) itself has been under scrutiny, with around ten high-ranking officials facing corruption probes. In March 2024, Chen Xuyuan, the former CFA chairman, received a lifetime prison sentence for accepting “particularly huge” bribes, totaling RMB81.03 million ($11 million). His actions were deemed to have severely harmed fair competition and order in the national football industry.
In the same month, Li Tie, the former head coach of China’s national team and ex-Everton midfielder, admitted to accepting over $10.7 million in bribes and aiding in match-fixing.
Furthermore, in May, Gou Zhongwen, the former director of the General Administration of Sport of China, was reported to be under investigation for corruption.
In August, Li Yuyi, a former vice-president of the CFA, was sentenced to 11 years in prison for accepting bribes.
