The Chinese Football Association (CFA) has issued a sweeping set of disciplinary actions against 13 professional clubs, leaving nine Chinese Super League teams to start the 2026 season with significant points deficits. These penalties follow a comprehensive investigation into systemic match-fixing, illegal gambling, and widespread industrial corruption.
According to reports from BBC Sport on Friday, last year’s runners-up Shanghai Shenhua and the Tianjin Tigers face the most severe sporting consequences, with both organizations beginning their campaigns at negative 10 points.
The CFA’s disciplinary sweep extends beyond the top flight, as four other implicated teams have already suffered relegation to China League One due to their involvement. Financial sanctions accompany these points deductions, with the 13 targeted clubs ordered to pay fines ranging from £21,000 to £104,000 (approximately 200,000 to 1 million yuan). Governing officials emphasized that the severity of each penalty directly reflects the social impact and gravity of the specific “improper transactions” conducted by each club.
This latest purge represents a critical phase in China’s ongoing mission to rehabilitate the reputation of its domestic game. The crackdown previously resulted in 73 individuals receiving lifetime bans in late 2024, including high-profile figures like former Everton midfielder and national team coach Li Tie. Li is currently serving a lengthy prison sentence after confessing to bribery and orchestrating match results to advance his career. By imposing these heavy penalties just weeks before the new season kicks off, the CFA aims to restore transparency and ensure a fair competitive environment for the future.
The Chinese Football Association detailed the necessity of the sanctions in an official statement: “The measures are aimed at upholding industry discipline, purifying the football environment, and maintaining fair competition. Points deductions and financial penalties were determined based on the seriousness and impact of each club’s involvement in improper transactions.”
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