China’s football fans deserve better than repeating corruption
- A decade after the nation’s last big football corruption crackdown, history appears to be repeating itself. While these is no quick fix, a new approach is sorely needed so that moves are made to reach that goal
China’s dream of becoming a leading force in the world of football has not been realised, despite years of big promises, ambitious plans and extensive investment. The poor performance of the men’s team, languishing in 80th place in the global rankings, is regarded as a joke among fans. The domestic game, meanwhile, has been decimated by the pandemic, with fixtures disrupted, stadiums empty, and foreign players departing. Many teams have collapsed. It is all a long way from the, not too distant, era when super league teams spent breathtaking sums to bring in top international stars.
The opening of borders and lifting of Covid-19 rules should provide the platform for a revival of the sport. But a new corruption scandal has broken. Details are scarce and the probes should not be prejudged. However, the crackdown suggests the game is about to hit rock bottom again. Several leading figures in the sport are being investigated. This month, it was revealed that Chen Xuyuan, head of the Chinese Football Association, is being probed for “serious violations of discipline and the law”. Two other leading football officials are also being investigated.
Corruption scandal deals new blow to Xi’s Chinese football dream
This development raises disturbing questions. Chen has led the governing body since 2019. He pledged to clean up the game and to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to enduring problems such as match-fixing, doping and gambling. The former head coach of the men’s team and famous footballer Li Tie is also being investigated for “serious violations of the law”. Meng Jing, a top executive with China Fortune Land Development, is also under investigation in a move which is being linked to the football scandal. Meanwhile, six high-ranking members of China’s biggest football training school have been given life bans following match-fixing concerns surrounding a provincial game for under-15s.
A decade after China’s last big corruption crackdown on football, when 33 players and officials were banned, history appears to be repeating itself. Details should be revealed so that fans understand the full picture. The game in China has long been plagued by corruption. This must be stamped out. It remains to be seen how extensive the ongoing probe will be and what it will reveal.
China’s fans are passionate about the game. They deserve better. Efforts to boost football training for the young and to develop the sport continue. The goal of hosting and winning a world cup remains. As things stand, China’s women have more hope of achieving that than the men. The latest investigations should trigger much soul-searching. A new approach is needed, one that involves building a strong, and clean footballing culture. There is no quick fix. It will take many years. But moves must be made to reach that goal.
