Li was convicted in 2025 after he appealed the first conviction in 2024 of taking bribes, offering bribes, unit bribery, accepting bribes as a non‑state employee and bribing non‑state employees, and was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Chen was sentenced to life imprisonment for taking bribes, with his political rights revoked for life and all his personal property confiscated. He was also convicted in 2024.
The CFA stressed that “the association will maintain a strict stance without wavering and continue to punish all kinds of violations and misconduct in football with a ‘zero tolerance’ attitude”.
Talking about the point deductions and financial penalties for clubs in the 2026 season, the CFA official added: “In accordance with the Chinese Football Association Disciplinary Code, the CFA’s Disciplinary and Ethics Committee has decided to deduct points from the 2026 professional league standings and impose fines on 13 clubs, including Tianjin Jinmen Tiger Football Club.”
“The point deductions and financial penalties imposed on clubs are based on the amount, nature, seriousness and social impact of the improper transactions in which each club was involved.”
An official from the General Administration of Sport said: “This round of sanctions demonstrates the General Administration’s firm determination to strictly rectify the professional conduct and ethics in football.”
“Together with the Ministry of Public Security, it will guide the Chinese Football Association to resolutely investigate corruption cases in football, punish violations and misconduct, and rectify behaviour that undermines professional ethics.”
The Department also plans to “further tighten the supervisory responsibilities of sports administrative departments at all levels, football associations and the Chinese Football League” in a bid to improve achievements against “match‑fixing, betting and corrupt refereeing offences”.
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