In a recent development in Chinese football, South Korean international Son Jun-Ho was among 43 individuals who have been banned for life for their involvement in match-fixing and gambling. This crackdown by Chinese authorities has sent shockwaves through the soccer world, with 43 out of 128 individuals implicated in the inquiry receiving lifetime bans.
The state news agency Xinhua reported that after a thorough two-year investigation, these bans were imposed, which included not only Son Jun-Ho but also three Chinese international players. The extent of these bans and whether they will apply outside of China has not been clarified by FIFA or other national governing bodies.
Son Jun-Ho, who previously played for Shandong Taishan, was detained in China since May 2023 due to suspected match-fixing involving his former coach Hao Wei. His former teammate Jin Jingdao, a Chinese international player, also received a ban. Additionally, Chinese legend Wang Song and Cameroonian Donovan Ewolo were among 17 others who received lesser, five-year bans from the sport.
Wang Song, who has the most appearances in China’s top flight, had previously played for Chengdu Blades, a club that was relegated from the Chinese Super League after being found guilty of paying a rival team to lose a game during a promotion battle. In total, 41 soccer clubs were implicated in the scandal, with Qingdao Red Lions and Nanjing City being the worst offenders, each seeing seven of their players receiving lifetime bans. Furthermore, 34 individuals involved in the scandal have also been handed prison sentences.
The crackdown on match-fixing and gambling is part of China’s ongoing efforts to ensure sporting integrity in the country. The General Sports Administration of China revealed that since 2022, 128 suspected criminals have been arrested, 12 online gambling rings have been dismantled, and 120 suspicious matches have been identified. The authorities have been strict in dealing with illegal activities such as gambling and match-fixing in football.
Even the Chinese Football Association (FA) has not been immune to the investigations, with several officials facing severe punishments for their involvement in bribery and match-fixing scandals. Former Chairman of the CFA, Chen Xuyuan, was sentenced to life in prison for accepting millions of yuan in bribes.
The recent bans and crackdown on match-fixing and gambling in Chinese football serve as a stark reminder of the importance of upholding integrity in sports. The authorities are determined to root out corruption and ensure fair play in the game, sending a strong message to those who seek to manipulate the outcomes of matches for personal gain.