China Cracks Down on Sports Corruption with Major Bans, Scandals Revealed

Posted : 12 September 2024

Two significant incidents in Chinese sports have highlighted ongoing issues of game manipulation, illegal gambling, and widespread corruption that have tainted results across various disciplines. The first major case revealed that 43 soccer players and officials, including some who have represented the national team, were banned for life due to allegations of game bias. An additional 17 individuals received five-year suspensions following a two-year investigation, which uncovered that 41 teams had been involved in manipulating 120 matches. The investigation also exposed connections to illegal gambling, bribery, and the operation of unlicensed casinos.

China's ambitious "Vision 2050" plan aimed to establish the country as a football powerhouse by now, with substantial investments in the league and the attraction of European stars. However, this vision has been undermined by corruption, mismanagement, and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. As a result, Chinese football has struggled, leaving fans frustrated by the team’s lackluster performances and questionable decisions, such as recent heavy losses to Japan and Saudi Arabia in World Cup qualifiers.

The second major event involves snooker player Zhao Xintong, who recently announced his return after a 20-month suspension. Zhao, a prominent figure in Chinese snooker, was involved in the largest match-fixing scandal in the sport’s history. Despite receiving a lighter punishment and a €10,000 fine, he admitted to participating in gambling and influencing another player's game, though he denied personally fixing matches. This incident underscores snooker’s vulnerability to gambling, particularly in East Asia where criminal networks exploit the sport for profit.

Beyond football and snooker, the issue of corruption extends to other sports in China. In April 2023, two teams in the Chinese Basketball League were suspended due to suspicious behavior linked to betting, while a recent investigation into the Beijing Half Marathon revealed possible manipulation involving Kenyan and Ethiopian runners. Even the competitive video game industry has faced similar corruption scandals. The crackdown on football corruption represents a critical effort, yet it seems only a small part of a broader problem affecting multiple sports.

China Cracks Down on Sports Corruption with Major Bans, Scandals Revealed

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