China's Ex-Soccer Chief Receives Life Sentence in Ongoing Sports Corruption Crackdown

The former head of China’s official soccer association, Chen Xuyuan, has been sentenced to life in prison by a court in the central Chinese province of Hubei. This comes as part of the government's efforts to combat corruption within the country’s professional football league.

Chen Xuyuan was jailed on Tuesday, along with several other senior sporting executives, after a lengthy investigation. The crackdown on corruption in the league continues, with the authorities taking strict action against those involved in illegal activities.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping has a vision to make the country a soccer superpower, but high-level professional soccer development has been hindered by bad financial decisions and corruption.

Chen, along with other soccer officials, has been caught up in the Communist Party's anti-corruption investigation. This includes former vice-president Yu Hongchen, former national team coach Li Tie, and several others.

Chen faced consequences for his actions, with his assets taken away and his political rights revoked for life, a common punishment for corrupt officials, as reported by state media.

According to state media, the Intermediate People's Court in Huangshi found Chen guilty of using his position to benefit companies and individuals in exchange for money, resulting in his sentencing.

He received $10.6 million (77 million yuan) out of the $11.2 million (81 million yuan) he was given on 217 occasions from 2010 to 2023. The court described this amount as "extremely high."

The court stated that his actions have greatly disrupted the integrity and fairness of the soccer field and the overall industry, leading to significant harm to the national soccer business.

Chen bowed from the dock as footage captured the moment. He expressed his apology to fans nationwide, hoping for their forgiveness.

The court decided to show leniency towards Chen because he admitted his crime, showed repentance, and cooperated with the investigation. It's important to note that China still upholds the death penalty for corruption cases.

China has historically had less success with globally popular team sports such as soccer, with its men's team struggling to compete at a high level. Despite being one of the world's great sporting powers, its athletes routinely dominate at major events like the Olympics and Winter Olympics.

Separately, former vice-secretary general of the soccer association Chen Yongliang was sentenced to 14 years, former vice-president Yu was sentenced to 13 years, and former The Chinese Super League general manager Dong Zheng was jailed for eight years.

Xi, a passionate soccer enthusiast, is determined to make a difference.

Back in 2011, when Xi was serving as China's vice-president, he had a bold vision for the country's men's national team. He laid out a three-stage plan: qualify for another World Cup, host a World Cup, and ultimately win a World Cup.

Five years later, the Chinese soccer association announced a plan to transform the country into a "world football superpower" by 2050. However, challenges such as a culture of corruption and financial losses due to the Covid pandemic have hindered the progress of this goal.

Currently, the Chinese men's soccer team is in third place in its FIFA World Cup qualifying group, with four points. They are trailing behind South Korea, who is in first place, and Thailand in second place. In a disappointing turn of events, the team recently tied 2-2 with Singapore, putting a dent in China's hopes of qualifying for the World Cup in 2026. The upcoming rematch between the two teams on Tuesday is crucial for China, as they strive to improve their performance.

Editor's P/S:

The sentencing of Chen Xuyuan and other high-ranking soccer officials in China is a testament to the government's commitment to eradicating corruption within the sport. Xi Jinping's ambitious vision of transforming China into a soccer superpower has been hampered by systemic issues, including financial mismanagement and illegal activities. The crackdown on corruption signals a positive step towards restoring integrity and ensuring the sustainable development of professional soccer in the country.

While it remains to be seen whether Xi's goal of hosting and winning the World Cup can be realized, the government's efforts to cleanse the sport of corrupt practices will undoubtedly boost its credibility and reputation. The recent disappointment in the team's performance against Singapore highlights the challenges that lie ahead, but it also serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in achieving long-term success. The upcoming rematch against Singapore will be a crucial test for the team and the country's aspirations to compete at the highest level.