China Hands Lifetime Football Bans to 73 in Anti-Corruption Sweep

China has imposed the most severe disciplinary measures in its football history, handing lifetime bans to 73 individuals and sanctioning 13 professional clubs as part of a sweeping crackdown on match-fixing, illegal betting, and bribery.

The penalties, announced by the Chinese Football Association (CFA), represent a sharp escalation in a multi-year clean-up campaign that has already reshaped the sport’s leadership and governance. Those sanctioned span every level of the game, including club coaches, senior administrators, professional players, match officials, and intermediaries.

Unlike earlier disciplinary actions, the latest measures are permanent. Individuals on the list are barred for life from all football-related activities, including playing, coaching, refereeing, administration, and commercial involvement.

Among the most high-profile cases is Li Tie, the former China national team coach, who is already serving a lengthy prison sentence for bribery. Also included is Chen Xuyuan, the former CFA president convicted of accepting substantial kickbacks during his tenure.

Sanctions were also extended to clubs, with 13 teams across China’s professional leagues set to begin the upcoming season under penalties that include points deductions ranging from three to ten points, multi-million-yuan fines, and enhanced compliance monitoring.

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In official briefings, the CFA acknowledged that previous punishments, such as temporary suspensions and fines, had failed to curb misconduct. Lifetime exclusions, the association said, are intended to permanently remove repeat offenders, restore public confidence in domestic competitions, and deter wrongdoing across youth and lower-tier leagues.

“We will always maintain a zero-tolerance deterrent and high-pressure punitive force, and investigate and deal with any violation of discipline or regulations in football as soon as they are discovered, without any leniency or tolerance,” the CFA said.

The association added that disciplinary reviews are still ongoing, indicating that additional cases may yet emerge.