Chinese Football Hit by Unprecedented Sanctions: 73 Individuals Banned for Life

The Chinese Football Association (CFA) has decided to impose severe penalties in one of the biggest corruption cases to hit the sport in the country. The sanctions include a lifetime ban for 73 individuals from any football-related activity, in addition to disciplinary measures against 13 clubs participating in local competitions.

These decisions follow lengthy investigations that uncovered the involvement of several officials, coaches, and players in match-fixing cases and serious disciplinary violations, necessitating firm action to protect the integrity of competitions.

Regarding the sanctioned clubs, the CFA clarified that the penalties include points deductions from their tallies in local competitions, along with varying financial fines, depending on each club's degree of involvement in the proven violations. Strict official warnings were also issued concerning any future transgressions.

The Chinese Football Association affirmed that these measures are part of a comprehensive strategy to combat corruption, emphasizing that the upcoming phase will see increased oversight and discipline, with zero tolerance for any practices that undermine sporting values or tarnish the image of the game.

These developments come as Chinese sports authorities seek to rebuild domestic football after years of crises that have negatively impacted the reputation of the league and national teams.