China bans 17 people from football for life, 48 for five years or less and fines 1 team
The latest penalties build on earlier rounds of punishment this year and in September 2024 that saw 116 individuals banned for life
The Chinese Football Association (CFA) released its third list of individuals it has banned from football on Thursday, imposing lifetime bans on 17 people and bans of five years or less on 48.
The sanctions cover club executives, coaches, players and a referee. Most were punished for bribery and match manipulation.
“Penalties were determined based on the nature of their conduct, the amount involved, frequency of violations and degree of subjective malice,” the CFA said in the announcement.
Among the 17 were former Shenzhen Football Club general manager Ding Yong, former Inner Mongolia Zhongyou Football Club general manager Shi Yaoyong and former Meizhou Hakka Football Club general manager Cao Yang.
Meng Jing, ex-president of China Fortune Land Development Co Ltd (Huaxia Fortune), was also banned for offering bribes, breaching sporting ethics and integrity, and engaging in improper transactions for personal gain. He also manipulated football matches, seriously undermining the principles of fair play, causing a serious negative social impact.
A further 48 people received bans of five years or less, including former Guangzhou Evergrande Football Club general manager Gao Han, former Beijing Guoan Football Club general manager Li Ming and Huang Shenghua, the Shaanxi Union chairman and former vice-chairman of Guangzhou R&F Football Club.
