In an unprecedented move to cleanse Chinese football of systemic corruption, authorities have issued lifetime bans against 73 individuals including Chen Xuyuan, former president of the Chinese Football Association, and Li Tie, former head coach of the national team. The sweeping disciplinary action, announced on January 29, 2026, represents the most significant crackdown in the history of Chinese football governance.
The lifetime prohibition extends to all football-related activities, effectively ending the professional involvement of the sanctioned individuals in any capacity within the sport. The investigation uncovered widespread misconduct that has plagued Chinese football for years, with Chen Xuyuan’s case drawing particular attention given his former position as the highest-ranking official in Chinese football administration.
Concurrently, 13 professional clubs including Tianjin Jinmen Tiger, Shanghai Shenhua, Shanghai Port, and Beijing Guoan will face substantial sporting and financial penalties during the 2026 season. These sanctions include point deductions and significant fines, though specific details regarding the severity of punishments for each club remain undisclosed.
This comprehensive disciplinary action follows an extensive investigation into match-fixing, corruption, and financial misconduct within Chinese football. The crackdown demonstrates the government’s determined effort to overhaul the sport’s governance structure and restore integrity to the game amid declining public confidence and performance standards.
The bans come at a critical juncture for Chinese football, which has struggled despite massive financial investments in recent decades. The government’s intervention signals a new approach to sports governance, prioritizing ethical standards and accountability over mere competitive results.