Chinese soccer investigation review

The past year saw a nationwide crackdown on soccer corruption. More than twenty officials, players, and club managers have been arrested or detained on suspicion of match-fixing, gambling, and related bribery.

On March the 1st, the Ministry of Public Security announced that three high-ranking Chinese soccer officials, including the former chief of the Chinese Football Association, Nan Yong, had been arrested for alleged match-fixing and bribery.

This was just the latest move in the year long crackdown on the corruption in Chinese soccer.

In late February, two Super League clubs were demoted to the second division, and a Class-A Chinese football club was dismissed, after its managers were found guilty of manipulating the matches and gambling on the results.

The Chinese Football Association disciplinary committee relegated Guangzhou GPC and the Chengdu Blades to Class A games, and revoked the license of Qingdao Hailifeng, as well fining the club 200 thousand yuan.

Further investigation has revealed the three teams were deeply involved in the scandal. Besides manipulating matches, they allegedly bribed referees and players to get places at the national team's training camp and opportunities to play in higher-tier games.

Sports officials say the Ministry of Public Security is now investigating more clubs for their potential involvement.

The ministry says police will fully support the sport authority's campaign to fight corruption in soccer.

Apart from continuing its investigation into serious criminal cases, the ministry will coordinate with the sport, supervisory and judicial organs to set up an anti-gambling mechanism in a bid to create a fair play environment in Chinese soccer.