Mainland legislators have urged police and prosecutors to investigate widely reported claims that several prominent football referees received millions of yuan in bribes, mainland media said yesterday.
Zhejiang province NPC delegate Chen Jilai told the Workers Daily newspaper that 46 NPC delegates were jointly tabling a resolution calling for a probe into allegations that corruption and match-rigging were widespread in the game.
Mr Chen said many NPC delegates were unhappy that procuratorate and public security authorities had not indicated whether they would investigate the matter.
Mr Chen, a weight-lifting coach, said that those who offered or received bribes should be charged and tried in court. An ongoing internal inquiry is being conducted by officials in charge of sports affairs.
The corruption allegations against China's top football referees were raised by a prominent Guangzhou team which claimed most mainland teams were paying referees millions of yuan to influence matches.
Soccer gambling, both legal and illegal, is popular on the mainland.
