The Chinese Football Association (CFA) has taken a significant step in addressing corruption within the sport by imposing lifetime bans on 43 individuals for their involvement in gambling and match-fixing. This decision follows a comprehensive two-year investigation led by Zhang Xiaopeng, a senior official from China’s Ministry of Public Security, which uncovered widespread corruption involving 120 matches, 128 criminal suspects, and 41 football clubs.
The investigation revealed that 44 individuals face criminal penalties for bribery, gambling, and the illegal operation of casinos. Among these, 43 have been banned for life from football-related activities, while 17 others have received five-year bans.
Key figures banned
- Former Chinese internationals Jin Jingdao, Guo Tianyu, and Gu Chao;
- South Korean player Son Jun-ho, who played for Shandong Taishan FC;
- Ewolo Donovan from Cameroon, who received a five-year ban;
Son Jun-ho was accused of participating in illegal transactions, manipulating football matches, and obtaining illegal gains. His actions were deemed to have seriously violated sports ethics and sportsmanship, causing significant negative social impact.
Scope of the investigation
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Matches Involved | 120 matches[4). |
| Criminal Suspects | 128 individuals[5). |
| Football Clubs Implicated | 41 football clubs[4). |
| Individuals Banned for Life | 43 individuals[5). |
| Individuals Banned for Five Years | 17 individuals[5). |
Recent crackdown on corruption
China has intensified its efforts to combat corruption in football. Recent sentences include an 11-year prison term for Li Yuyi, a former vice president of the Chinese Football Association, and a seven-year sentence for a former director of the competition department, both for accepting bribes.
In March, the former chairman of the CFA, Chen Xuyuan, was given a lifetime prison sentence for receiving “particularly huge” bribes, which seriously damaged fair competition and order in the national football industry.
Broader context
This crackdown on corruption in Chinese football comes amid broader efforts to curb illegal gambling activities. Recently, 21 people were arrested in Beijing for running illegal betting operations during Euro 2024, highlighting the ongoing battle against gambling-related corruption.
The A-League in Australia has also faced a betting scandal, with three players charged over alleged betting corruption and two others accused, underscoring the global nature of these issues.
