In a significant development underscoring China’s crackdown on corruption in sports, Chen Xuyuan, the former president of the Chinese Football Association (CFA), has been handed a life sentence for his involvement in bribery.
Chen Xuyuan, along with several high-ranking sporting executives, faced sentencing on Tuesday following an extensive investigation, according to state media reports.
The Intermediate People’s Court of Huangshi disclosed that Chen admitted to accepting bribes totaling 81 million yuan ($11.2 million; £8.9 million) between 2010 and 2023. These illicit transactions occurred during his leadership roles as president and chairman of the Shanghai International Port Group.
During the trial, evidence revealed Chen’s acceptance of monetary bribes and other valuable items in exchange for leveraging project contracts and organizing sporting events.
As a consequence, Chen Xuyuan had his assets confiscated and was stripped of his political rights for life, a common penalty for officials found guilty of corruption in China.
The court strongly condemned Chen’s actions, underscoring their detrimental impact on the integrity of the football industry, both domestically and globally.
In addition to Chen’s conviction, three other senior football officials received prison sentences ranging from eight to 14 years for their complicity in corrupt activities.
This latest development unfolds amid a broader anti-corruption campaign spearheaded by President Xi Jinping, which targets various sectors, including sports, finance, and the military. In football alone, numerous coaches and players have come under scrutiny.
Earlier this year, former Everton midfielder and ex-head coach of China’s national men’s soccer team, Li Tie, confessed to match-fixing and bribery, implicating figures such as Chen Xuyuan in his testimony.
The detention of prominent football figures deals a significant blow to China’s ambitions of becoming a powerhouse in football, a vision championed by President Xi Jinping.
The corruption scandal reverberates through the football community, underscoring the ongoing challenges confronting the sport’s integrity in the country.
