Amid a widespread crackdown on sports corruption in China, high-ranking officials of the Communist Party controlled sports programs have been sentenced to prison for accepting bribes and committing financial crimes. The Chinese Football Association Super League, largely backed by real estate firms, has faced financial instability due to concerns about the financial health of China’s economy.
Chen Xuyuan, the former president of the Chinese Football Association, received a life sentence for his involvement in match-fixing and financial crimes. Other officials, including the former head of the National Athletics Association and former high-ranking soccer officials, have also been sentenced to prison for accepting bribes.
China’s domestic soccer leagues have a history of corruption and financial problems. Despite earlier successes, the national men’s and women’s teams have struggled in international competitions. Corruption in the sport has been linked to payoffs to players and referees to influence game outcomes.
Allegations of payments to secure spots for players at training camps for top teams have also been reported. The challenges facing Chinese soccer are exacerbated by economic slowdowns and government involvement in sports, culture, and private business. The efforts to improve the success of China’s soccer programs have been hindered by these factors.
