Thirteen clubs punished for match-fixing in China
Nine teams will begin the upcoming Chinese Super League season with negative points following penalties imposed on clubs after an investigation into “match-fixing, gambling, and corruption within the football sector.” Shanghai Shenhua, last season’s second-place finishers, along with Tianjin Tigers, faced the harshest penalties, each receiving a 10-point deduction. Four of the affected…
Nine teams will begin the upcoming Chinese Super League season with negative points following penalties imposed on clubs after an investigation into “match-fixing, gambling, and corruption within the football sector.”
Shanghai Shenhua, last season’s second-place finishers, along with Tianjin Tigers, faced the harshest penalties, each receiving a 10-point deduction.
Four of the affected teams have already been relegated to China League One.
Additionally, 13 teams have been fined amounts ranging from £21,000 to £104,000 (200,000 to one million yuan).
These sanctions were issued by authorities as a result of the investigation into gambling and match manipulation in football.
An external statement noted that the penalties aim to “uphold industry discipline, purify the football environment, and maintain fair competition.”
The Chinese Football Association (CFA) explained that the point deductions and fines were determined based on the severity, nature, and societal impact of the misconduct associated with each club, reaffirming its “zero-tolerance” stance on corruption.
In September 2024, 43 officials and players received lifetime bans.
Li Tie, a former Everton midfielder, was among 74 individuals banned for life after admitting to match-fixing, accepting bribes, and offering bribes for a prestigious coaching position; he was jailed last year.
