Match-Fixing Investigation in China Leads to Ban of Soccer Players

Over the last few years, the efforts of China against gambling and match-fixing have intensified. This comes as no surprise, considering the growing popularity of legal wagering and the ease of access to unregulated iGaming outlets online.

In one recent massive operation against match-fixing and gambling, China handed out dozens of lifetime, temporary bans and sentences, impacting famous soccer players. On Tuesday, the Ministry of Public Security and the General Administration of Sport in China released details regarding a two-year investigation that resulted in legal actions against many players.

Dozens of Soccer Players and Officials Receive Temporary and Permanent Bans

The large-scale probe was launched in 2022 and resulted in actions against a total of 128 people. From that total, 43 players and officials, allegedly involved in gambling and match-fixing were banned from the sport for a lifetime by Chinese authorities.

The massive scandal involves players and officials from a total of 41 soccer clubs. Popular clubs, Qingdao Red Lions, along with Nanjing City, were hit the most, as seven players from each of the soccer clubs received a lifetime ban from the sport.

As announced by local media reports, recognizable soccer players were impacted by the lifetime bans. The list included three Chinese international players, along with Son Jun-Ho, the former player with the Shandong Taishan.

Jun-Ho was arrested back in May 2023 in China over allegations of match-fixing. Although he has since returned to South Korea, he wasn’t spared by the latest tough enforcement spree. One of Jun-Ho’s fellow players from Shandong Taishan, Jin Jingdao, was also hit with a lifetime ban from soccer.

Besides the permanent soccer bans, as noted, temporary bans were also issued. Out of the 128 people, allegedly implicated in gambling and match-fixing, more than a dozen received temporary five-year bans from soccer. Banned for five years from the sport were a total of 17 people.

34 People Sentenced to Prison

Per data from the Ministry of Public Security, the combat against gambling, match-fixing, manipulation in sports and bribery was a primary focus for the last few years. In addition to temporary and permanent bans, 34 individuals involved in the sport, who were also under investigation, were sentenced to prison.

The crackdown against match-fixing, gambling and similar unlawful activities has resulted in the arrest of nearly 130 suspects, the Ministry of Public Security reveals. Moreover, law enforcement’s actions destroyed 12 gangs involved in online gambling and identified 120 games suspected of match-fixing.

The tough enforcement has affected not only soccer players but also club managers, coaches and other involved personnel. Still, FIFA, as well as other soccer governing bodies are yet to comment on the matter and confirm whether or not the imposed temporary and permanent bans would be applicable outside China.