As part of President Xi Jinping’s extensive anti-corruption campaign, Chinese football authorities (CFA) have imposed lifetime bans on 73 individuals, including former national team coach Li Tie, and Penalize 13 professional clubs for match-fixing and corruption.
These sweeping measures follow a systematic review by the Chinese Football Association (CFA) and aim to strengthen discipline, enhance the integrity of the sport, and ensure fair competition. This was outlined in a statement published on the CFA’s official social media channels.
Li Tie, who played for Everton before coaching China’s national team from 2019 to 2021, is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for bribery, a sentence handed down in December 2024. He joins 72 others who have been permanently banned from all football-related activities. Among those banned is Chen Xuyuan, the former CFA chairman, who is serving a life sentence for accepting approximately $11 million in bribes.
The punishments also extend to club-level, reflecting the widespread nature of corruption in China’s top-flight league. Of the 16 teams that competed in the 2025 Chinese Super League (CSL), 11 will face point deductions and fines. Consequently, nine clubs will begin the 2026 season, starting in March, with negative point totals.
Tianjin Jinmen Tiger and last season’s runners-up, Shanghai Shenhua, received the most severe penalties, each facing a 10-point deduction and a fine of one million yuan (approximately $144,000). Shanghai Port, champions for the past three seasons, along with Beijing Guoan, will start the season with a five-point deduction and a fine of 400,000 yuan. The CFA did not provide specific details about the clubs’ individual infractions, stating only that the violations included “match-fixing, gambling, and bribery.”
“We will continue to uphold a zero-tolerance approach and investigate any violations of discipline or regulations as soon as they are discovered, without leniency,” the CFA stated.
This crackdown highlights ongoing challenges within Chinese professional football, which has been plagued by financial instability. Guangzhou FC, the most successful team in CSL history, folded in 2025 after failing to resolve outstanding debts before the new season.
President Xi, known for his enthusiasm for football, has long expressed ambitions for China to host and eventually win the World Cup. However, the national team failed to qualify for the upcoming tournament in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, underscoring the pressing need for reforms and stricter oversight in the sport.
