73 Banned for Match-Fixing in China

The Chinese Football Association (CFA) has imposed lifetime bans on 73 individuals, including former national team head coach Li Tie, for their involvement in match-fixing and corruption. In addition, 13 top professional clubs have been punished, the association announced in a statement on Thursday.

Under President Xi Jinping, Chinese football has undergone an extensive anti-corruption campaign in recent years, revealing deep-seated malpractice in the country’s professional game. Several senior CFA officials have been removed from office, while a dozen players have been suspended for participating in match-fixing and gambling activities. The exact timing and methods of the offences, however, were not disclosed in the CFA statement.

CFA emphasised on its official social media platforms that the punishments followed a “systematic review” and were necessary “to maintain discipline, purify the football environment, and ensure fair competition.”

Li Tie, a former Everton midfielder, coached the Chinese national team from 2019 to 2021. He was sentenced in December 2024 to 20 years in prison for accepting bribes, alongside his lifetime ban from football. Also included in the banned list is former CFA chairman Chen Shuyuan, who was convicted for accepting bribes amounting to USD 11 million and given a life sentence.

Sanctions Against Key Individuals:

Club Punishments in 2025 Chinese Super League (CSL):

Of the 16 teams competing in the CSL, 11 will have points deducted and fines imposed. This means nine clubs will begin the 2026 season with negative points due to relegation adjustments.

CFA has not disclosed detailed specifics of the clubs’ offences, only noting that they involve match-fixing, bribery, and gambling. The severity of penalties was determined based on “transaction amounts, circumstances, nature, and social impact.”

A CFA statement declared, “We will always uphold a zero-tolerance policy and implement strict punitive measures. Any violation of football rules or discipline will be investigated and sanctioned without leniency or sympathy.”

Financial instability is a growing issue among Chinese professional clubs. Guangzhou FC, historically one of China’s most successful teams, folded last year after failing to settle debts ahead of the new season. President Xi, a passionate football supporter, has long aspired for China to host and eventually win the World Cup. However, the country has yet to qualify for the 2026 tournament.