Match-fixing in China has become one of the biggest scandals in the history of the country’s football world. The government has given out lifetime bans and huge fines to show how serious the problem is and how determined they are to get rid of cheating in the sport.
On January 29, 2026, the Chinese Football Association (CFA), the Ministry of Public Security, and the General Administration of Sport announced the results of a long-running anti-corruption investigation that implicated dozens of high-ranking officials, coaches, players, and clubs. This was the highest point of match-fixing in China.
Authorities said at a joint press conference in Beijing that 73 people connected to professional football had been banned for life from all football-related activities. This was part of their punishment for being involved in match-fixing and other corrupt activities.
The Crackdown
The most recent sanctions against match-fixing in China are a big step up from what has been done before. This round of disciplinary action was different from previous ones in that it went after some of the biggest names in Chinese football.
Chen Xuyuan, the former president of the CFA, and Li Tie, the former head coach of the national team, were both given lifetime bans after a court found that they had been involved in bribery and other crimes related to fixing games.
ALSO READ: Champions League Knockout Phase Play-offs: What to Know
At the press conference, officials stressed that the investigations were not just about a few bad events, but were part of a “special rectification action” to stop match-fixing, gambling, and other bad behavior that had damaged the sport’s reputation.
In addition to the 73 lifetime bans, three other people who broke the rules of the industry but were not charged with a crime were given five-year bans from all football activities, reflecting a tiered approach to discipline.
Club Sanctions and Competitive Impact
The CFA also punished 13 professional clubs from the Chinese Super League (CSL) and China League One for their roles in the scandal, in addition to punishing individuals.
For the 2026 season, nine CSL teams, including well-known ones like Tianjin Jinmen Tigers, Shanghai Shenhua, Shanghai Port, Beijing Guoan, Wuhan Three Towns, Henan FC, Shandong Taishan, Qingdao Hainiu, and Zhejiang FC, lost five to ten points.
Clubs lost points and had to pay fines that ranged from three figures to one million yuan, depending on how serious the offense was. This shows that China is becoming more determined to make match-fixing have real consequences.
These punishments are a rare, proactive step to change the results of future competitions instead of just punishing people after the fact. They set a precedent that could have big effects on the structure and credibility of the CSL in 2026 and beyond.
Why Match-Fixing in China Matters
Players, fans, and officials have all been worried about match-fixing in China for a long time. The sport is popular in the country, from youth football to professional leagues, because many think the competition is fair. When corruption destroys that trust, fans stop trusting, sponsors pull out, and the whole system suffers.
Football officials have had to deal with accusations and cases of match-fixing for a long time now. But the fact that 73 people have been banned for life, including senior officials, coaches, and former players, is a historic step up in dealing with the problem head-on.
At the press conference, the Ministry of Public Security said that the match-fixing investigations were part of a larger effort to fight corruption with “strict law enforcement and severe punishment.”
From a governance point of view, these actions show that state officials are working together to clean up an industry that has been hurt by bad financial management, unstable club ownership, and a lack of fan interest. These are all things that have made match-fixing in China both possible and more harmful.
Responses and Consequences
The effects of this scandal are already being felt in the world of football. Clubs left with negative points totals will begin the 2026 season at a competitive disadvantage, forcing managers and players to confront the legacy of match-fixing while trying to compete on the field.
The punishment of people like Li Tie, who used to be the face of the national team and was well-known in international football, shows how bad the situation is. Li, who played for China from 2019 to 2021 and led the national team, is already serving a 20-year prison sentence for bribery related to his role in the scandal.
Meanwhile, Chen Xuyuan, once head of Chinese football’s governing body, is serving a life term in prison for accepting millions in bribes.
“We will always maintain a zero-tolerance deterrent and high-pressure punitive force, and investigate and deal with any violation of discipline or regulations in football as soon as they are discovered, without any leniency or tolerance.” The CFA said, as per eNCA.
What this means for Chinese football in general
There are bigger problems in Chinese sports than the match-fixing scandal. Corruption could thrive in an environment where clubs have been financially unstable for years, fewer people are interested in watching, and the international stage has let down fans time and time again.
This most recent crackdown could be a turning point. Authorities want to rebuild trust among fans and business partners by punishing both well-known individuals and whole organizations. They hope this will stop future wrongdoing.
ALSO READ: Benfica vs Real Madrid: Mourinho’s Benfica Stun Real Madrid 4-2
If this strict approach to match-fixing in China works, it could lead to changes in governance, transparency, and accountability that make the professional game more stable and give Chinese football back its credibility.
Looking Ahead
As clubs get ready for the 2026 season and fans watch crews work to restore competitive integrity, the rest of the sports world will be watching to see how China’s football system comes out of this crisis.
Will the harsh punishments match-fixing in China stop future corruption and make the football culture better? Or will fans need to trust the results on the field again after more changes to the way things work?
Only time will tell, but with 73 lifetime bans and club penalties that directly affect competition, the story of match-fixing in China has entered a new, harsh chapter.
