The Chinese Football Association (CFA) has issued lifetime bans to 38 players and five club officials linked to gambling and match-fixing activities. This decision follows a comprehensive two-year investigation that revealed the manipulation of 120 matches.
Authorities stated that the investigation uncovered multiple cases involving online gambling, match-fixing, and bribery, implicating 128 individuals across 41 clubs.
Notable Figures Among the Banned
The list of those banned includes notable players such as midfielder Jin Jingdao, forward Guo Tianyu, and goalkeeper Gu Chao, all of whom are now barred from participating in any football-related activities. Additionally, 17 other individuals received five-year bans for their involvement.
In a recent press conference, South Korean player Son Jun-Ho expressed his innocence regarding the allegations, claiming he was threatened with repercussions against his family if he did not confess to the charges.
Ongoing Efforts Against Corruption
These bans are part of a broader crackdown by the Chinese government on corruption in sports. Earlier this year, former CFA chairman Chen Xuyuan was sentenced to life in prison for accepting bribes totaling approximately $11 million. Other former officials have also faced severe penalties for embezzlement and bribery.
The State of Chinese Football
Despite efforts to reform the sport, Chinese football continues to struggle on the international stage. The national team has qualified for the World Cup only once, in 2002, where it failed to score a single goal in three matches. As of now, the team ranks 87th in FIFA’s global standings, just behind smaller nations.
The recent 7-0 defeat to Japan in a World Cup qualifier has intensified criticism of the sport’s trajectory, with coaches and analysts calling it a humiliating outcome for the team.
