China's ex-football association chief, 72 others handed lifetime ban as part of 'anti-corruption campaign'

13 football clubs to face point deductions, financial penalties

By Saadet Gokce

ISTANBUL (AA) - China on Thursday imposed lifetime bans from all football-related activities on 73 individuals, including former Chinese Football Association president Chen Xuyuan, as part of an "anti-corruption campaign," according to media reports.

Former national team coach Li Tie was also among those banned, state-run news agency Xinhua reported.

Chen was sentenced to life imprisonment for bribery in 2024.

In addition, 13 clubs, including Tianjin Jinmen Tiger, Shanghai Shenhua, Shanghai Port, and Beijing Guoan, will face points deductions and financial penalties in the 2026 season.

Shanghai Shenhua and Tianjin Jinmen Tiger were fined 1 million yuan (about $143,788), according to the state-run Global Times daily.

The bans were part of China’s latest efforts in its anti-corruption campaign within the football sector, it added.

In Sept. 2024, 43 individuals were banned for life from participating in football-related activities for gambling and match-fixing.

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