Beijing, January 30 2026 — A sweeping anti-corruption purge has sent shockwaves through Chinese football, with 13 clubs hit by heavy sanctions after a probe uncovered widespread match‑fixing, gambling, and corruption. As the new Chinese Super League season looms, nine teams will begin their campaigns with points wiped from the board — a dramatic penalty meant to cleanse the game.
Heavy Penalties for Big Names
Among the hardest hit were Shanghai Shenhua — last season’s runners‑up — and Tianjin Tigers, each docked 10 points, a punishment that instantly reshapes the title race before a ball is kicked. Four of the sanctioned clubs have already been relegated to China League One, while all 13 face fines ranging from 3.7 to 18.5 million Kenya Shillings (200,000 to 1,000,000 yuan).
A Message from the Authorities
The Chinese Football Association framed the measures as a decisive move to restore integrity. Officials said the penalties were calibrated according to the amount, nature, seriousness, and social impact of each club’s involvement, and stressed a zero‑tolerance stance toward corruption. The stated aim: “to uphold industry discipline, purify the football environment, and maintain fair competition.”
A Wider Purge
This latest round of club punishments follows earlier waves of disciplinary action that saw dozens of officials and players banned for life. High‑profile names have been caught up in the scandal: former Everton midfielder Li Tie was jailed after admitting to match‑fixing, taking bribes, and offering bribes to secure a top coaching role, and has since been banned from the sport.
Fallout and Future
The sanctions mark a turning point for Chinese football — a painful but public attempt to root out malpractice and rebuild trust. With points deductions altering league dynamics and fines hitting club coffers, the coming season will be watched closely as fans and authorities alike measure whether these penalties can truly deter corruption and restore the game’s credibility.
