The Chinese Football Association’s former president, Chen Xuyuan, has been sentenced to life in prison as part of a crackdown on sports corruption. This sentence is just one of many issued recently by Chinese courts to officials in sports programs controlled by the Communist Party. These officials were accused of accepting bribes and committing financial crimes.
In addition to Chen Xuyuan, other high-ranking officials who received lengthy sentences for accepting bribes include the former head of the National Athletics Association, Hong Chen, and former soccer official Chen Yongliang.
The Chinese Football Association Super League, backed largely by real estate firms, has faced financial instability due to concerns about the financial health of these companies. Payments made to players aiming to enhance the league’s brand and potential in China and internationally have faced challenges due to these concerns.
Corruption in Chinese soccer has long been an issue, with reports of payoffs to players and referees to influence match outcomes. There are also allegations of payments made to secure spots for players in training camps, including the national men’s squad which currently ranks 88th by FIFA. The women’s national team holds the 19th spot.
The sport’s struggles in China are further compounded by economic slowdowns and government intervention in sports, culture, and private enterprises. These factors have hindered the country’s efforts to improve the competitiveness and success of its soccer programs.
