Chinese Football Body Imposes 73 Lifetime Bans and Disciplines Major Clubs in Match Fixing Crackdown

The Chinese Football Association has handed down lifetime prohibitions to 73 individuals, among them ex national team manager Li Tie, and has imposed sanctions on 13 leading professional teams for involvement in match fixing and corrupt practices, according to a statement released on Thursday.

In the era of President Xi Jinping, a rigorous campaign against corruption has permeated Chinese football over recent years, laying bare the deeply flawed nature of the professional sector.

Numerous senior figures within the Chinese Football Association have faced downfall, with scores of athletes receiving bans related to match fixing and betting irregularities.

The announcement on Thursday omitted details regarding the timing of the latest disclosed match fixing incidents or the methods employed.

Following an in depth examination, these measures aim "to uphold sector standards, cleanse the football landscape, and safeguard equitable play", as stated by the Chinese Football Association on its official social media platform Thursday.

Li, once an Everton squad member who guided the national side from 2019 until 2021, is currently enduring a 20 year jail term for corruption offences, having been convicted in December 2024.

He joins 72 others in facing a permanent exclusion from all football related pursuits, per the Chinese Football Association declaration.

Included in this group is Chen Xuyuan, the previous head of the Chinese Football Association, who is serving a life sentence after admitting to receiving bribes totalling $11 million.

Challenging Season Opener

The affected football outfits boast significant prominence.

From the 16 teams participating in the 2025 edition of the nations premier Chinese Super League, 11 now confront point deductions and monetary penalties.

Considering recent demotions, this implies that as the 2026 Chinese Super League campaign kicks off in March, nine squads will commence with deficit scores.

Tianjin Jinmen Tiger and Shanghai Shenhua, who finished as runners up last term, receive the harshest penalties, including 10 point subtractions and fines of one million yuan ($144000).

Shanghai Port, title holders over the past three years, will incur a five point deduction alongside a 400000 yuan penalty, mirroring the treatment for Beijing Guoan.

The Chinese Football Association refrained from outlining the exact violations by the teams, noting merely that they involved "match fixing, betting, and bribery", with sanctions calibrated according to "the scale, context, type, and broader repercussions of the illicit dealings".

"We remain committed to a zero tolerance stance and sustained rigorous enforcement, promptly addressing any breaches of rules or codes in football without exception or mercy," affirmed the Chinese Football Association.

A considerable number of Chinas elite clubs already grapple with economic woes.

Guangzhou FC, the most decorated entity in Chinese Super League annals, disbanded in 2025 upon failing to clear outstanding liabilities ahead of the fresh campaign.

President Xi harbours a passion for football and has voiced ambitions for China to host and triumph in the World Cup someday.

China failed to advance to this summers World Cup tournament in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.