Chinese Soccer Association Bans Players Amid Major Corruption Crackdown

The Chinese Football Association has permanently banned 38 soccer players and five club officials following a two-year investigation into match-fixing and gambling. The probe revealed that 120 matches were fixed, implicating 41 football clubs and leading to numerous criminal penalties. Corruption allegations have long plagued Chinese soccer.

The Chinese Football Association has permanently banned 38 soccer players and five club officials after a comprehensive two-year investigation into match-fixing and gambling, signaling a major crackdown on corruption in one of China's most beloved sports.

The investigation uncovered evidence of 120 fixed matches, involving 41 football clubs, Zhang Xiaopeng, a senior official from the Ministry of Public Security, disclosed at a press conference in Dalian, according to the official Xinhua News Agency.

Notably, the bans include former Chinese internationals Jin Jingdao, Guo Tianyu, and Gu Chao, as well as South Korean player Son Jun-ho. The findings were announced ahead of an important World Cup qualifier in Dalian, where Team China will host Saudi Arabia.

(With inputs from agencies.)