Beijing, Jan 29 (PTI): China on Thursday imposed lifetime bans on 73 individuals from all football-related activities and deducted points from nine top-tier clubs as part of its latest crackdown on corruption in the sport.
Former national team coach and ex-Everton player Li Tie and Chen Xuyuan, former president of the Chinese Football Association (CFA), are among those handed lifetime bans.
“For 73 industry personnel, including Chen Xuyuan and Li Tie, whose criminal offences have been confirmed by effective judicial judgments, the CFA has imposed lifetime bans from participating in any football-related activities,” a CFA official said.
Li, who coached the national team between 2019 and 2021, and Chen were convicted in 2024 of accepting bribes worth millions of dollars. Li was sentenced to 20 years in prison, while Chen received a life sentence.
The CFA also penalised nine Chinese Super League clubs with point deductions and fines.
Shanghai Shenhua, which finished second last season, and Tianjin Jinmen Tigers were the most affected, with each club docked 10 points and fined one million yuan. Defending champions Shanghai Port will begin the 2026 season with a five-point deduction.
“The point deductions and financial penalties imposed on clubs are based on the amount, nature, seriousness and social impact of the improper transactions in which each club was involved,” the CFA said, reiterating its “zero-tolerance” stance on corruption.
In September last year, the CFA had imposed lifetime bans on 43 officials and players as part of the same anti-corruption drive. PTI