The Chinese Football Association (CFA) has handed down lifetime bans to 73 individuals, including former national team head coach Li Tie, for involvement in match-fixing and corruption. In addition, 13 top professional clubs have received punitive measures. The announcement was made in a statement released on Thursday.
Under President Xi Jinping, Chinese football has undergone a rigorous anti-corruption drive in recent years, exposing deep-seated malpractice in the professional game. Several senior CFA officials have been removed from office, while a dozen players have been banned for engaging in match-fixing and gambling. The CFA’s statement did not specify exactly when or how the recent incidents of match manipulation occurred.
According to the CFA’s official social media channels, the sanctions followed a “systematic review” and were deemed necessary to “maintain discipline, purify the football environment, and ensure fair competition.”
Li Tie, a former Everton player, served as China’s national team coach from 2019 to 2021. He has already received a 20-year prison sentence for accepting bribes, a punishment imposed in December 2024. The CFA confirmed that, alongside Li Tie, 72 others have been barred from participating in any football-related activities. The list also includes former CFA chairman Chen Shuyuan, who received a life sentence for taking bribes totalling $11 million.
Most of the sanctioned clubs compete in China’s top league. In the 2025 season of the Chinese Super League (CSL), 11 of the 16 participating teams will have points deducted and face fines. As a result, when the 2026 season begins in March, nine clubs will start the competition with negative points.
The harshest penalties have been imposed on Tianjin Jinmen Tigers and last season’s runners-up Shanghai Shenhua, both losing 10 points and fined 1 million yuan (approximately $144,000). Three-time champions Shanghai Port were docked five points and fined 400,000 yuan, with the same penalty applied to Beijing Guoan.
| Club | Points Deducted | Fine (Yuan) | Approx. Fine (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tianjin Jinmen Tigers | 10 | 1,000,000 | 144,000 |
| Shanghai Shenhua | 10 | 1,000,000 | 144,000 |
| Shanghai Port | 5 | 400,000 | 57,600 |
| Beijing Guoan | 5 | 400,000 | 57,600 |
The CFA did not provide detailed explanations of the clubs’ offences, stating only that they were related to “match-fixing, gambling, and bribery,” and that the severity of the sanctions reflected “the transaction amounts, circumstances, nature, and social impact” of the infractions.
The association reaffirmed its “zero-tolerance policy,” warning that any breach of discipline or rules will be investigated and punished without exception.
Many Chinese professional football clubs are currently facing financial difficulties. Guangzhou FC, historically one of the league’s most successful clubs, was forced to cease operations last year after failing to settle debts before the start of the new season.
President Xi, a noted football enthusiast, has long expressed his ambition for China to host and ultimately win a FIFA World Cup. Despite these ambitions, the national team did not qualify for the 2026 tournament.