A former president of China's football association has been sentenced to life in prison for accepting more than $10 million in bribes, according to the country's state media. Chen Xuyuan, 67, was found guilty of bringing 'tremendous damage' to Chinese football by accepting money and valuables worth over 81 million yuan ($11.22m) during his tenure from 2010 to 2023.
The sentencing of Chen Xuyuan is part of a broader anti-corruption probe that has targeted more than a dozen high-level football officials since late 2022. The court ruling in central Hubei province highlighted how Chen had used his various positions, including his role as the head of the Chinese Football Association (CFA), to aid others in matters related to project contracting, investment operations, and sports events arrangements.
Chen's case is just one in a series of corruption scandals that have plagued Chinese football. In recent years, the sport has struggled to overcome allegations of corruption, which have been blamed for the underperformance of the national team. The sentencing of Chen Xuyuan follows similar cases involving former chiefs of the football association who were sentenced to lengthy prison terms for accepting bribes.
Confessions of corruption have become more common in China since President Xi Jinping launched a nationwide anti-graft campaign. In a state TV documentary, Chen admitted to accepting bribes, recounting an incident where he received cash-filled backpacks from local football officials the night before he assumed the role of CFA chairman.
The People's Daily, the official newspaper of the ruling Communist Party, emphasized that the fight against corruption in football is ongoing and that efforts must be made to address both the symptoms and root causes of systemic corruption within the sport.
Other football officials implicated in corruption probes include Chen Yongliang, Liu Lei, Yu Hongchen, and Dong Zheng, who have also received prison sentences ranging from 2 1/2 years to 14 years. Li Tie, former men's national team head coach, and Du Zhaocai, former CFA vice chairman, are among those awaiting their judgements in connection with corruption allegations.
