MK sports 2024 in Beijing. Photo: Courtesy of the CFA " src="https://www.globaltimes.cn/Portals/0/attachment/2024/2024-12-13/98be01b4-874b-4371-aead-09297b9e0009.jpeg" />

CFA Vice President Yang Xu speaks at the news briefing on December 13, 2024 in Beijing. Photo: Courtesy of the CFA

A Chinese Football Association (CFA) senior official on Friday reaffirmed zero-tolerance stance on corruption in football, after the sentencing of former national team head coach Li Tie and ex-vice sports minister Du Zhaocai for bribery.

At a media briefing on the domestic football leagues on Friday, CFA Vice President Yang Xu highlighted the CFA’s efforts to combat illegal practices during the 2024 season.

“We will continue to adopt a high-pressure approach to combat match-fixing, gambling, and other illegal activities,” he said.

Friday witnessed former Chinese national football team head coach Li Tie being sentenced to 20 years in prison and former deputy head of the General Administration of Sport of China Du Zhaocai being put behind bars for 14 years in their respective corruption cases.

Yang emphasized the importance of tightening admission standards for financial management to ensure financial stability for clubs and safeguard the rights of players, clubs, and youth training institutions.

“We must further tighten the league admission standards ... Efforts to address unpaid wages and overdue payments will protect the legitimate rights of players, clubs, and training institutions,” Yang was quoted as saying by the Xinhua News Agency.

He said that for the 2025 season, league entry requirements will be further enhanced to address lingering issues, such as unpaid wages and overdue payments.

The CFA unveiled a list of clubs that are cleared of debts earlier in December, but four Chinese Super League (CSL) clubs in 2024 season did not make into the list.

The 2024 Chinese football season, spanning from early March to early November, witnessed improvements in the market, according to Yang.

Fan engagement reached new heights in the domestic top flight CSL, with over 4.66 million spectators at CSL matches throughout the year, averaging nearly 20,000 per game. 

The second-tier league, China League One, also drew more than 2.28 million spectators, setting a record with a match in Dalian hosting over 60,000 fans.

Global Times