Report: Former Chinese Soccer chief Chen Xuyuan sentenced life imprisonment

Published at :March 26, 2024 at 12:35 PM

Modified at :March 26, 2024 at 12:35 PM

(Courtesy : Imaginechina)

A few other high-ranking officials have also faced legal scrutiny.

In a landmark verdict underscoring China’s relentless crackdown on corruption within its sporting circles, former chief of China’s national soccer association, Chen Xuyuan, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for accepting bribes (as per a report in Reuters). This development marks the culmination of one of the most extensive anti-corruption probes in Chinese football history.

Chen, aged 67, stands as a prominent figure in the realm of Chinese football administration. His conviction sheds light on the pervasive corruption that has long plagued the sport, tarnishing its reputation and hindering the national team‘s performance. The severity of his sentence underscores the government’s unwavering commitment to rooting out corruption at all levels.

Revelations from a televised documentary series laid bare the extent of Chen’s illicit activities. He confessed to receiving substantial sums of money, including backpacks laden with cash, from local soccer officials seeking favours. Such confessions have become increasingly common amidst President Xi Jinping’s sweeping anti-graft campaign, which has left no sector untouched.

The court’s findings detailed Chen’s abuse of power across various positions held between 2010 and 2023, notably within the Chinese Football Association (CFA). Leveraging his influence, Chen facilitated illicit deals related to project contracting, investment operations, and sports event arrangements, accumulating ill-gotten gains totaling over 81 million yuan.

The ramifications of Chen’s actions reverberate beyond his personal culpability. The court ruling emphasised the ‘tremendous damage’ inflicted upon China’s soccer development, reflecting the broader repercussions of corruption within the sporting arena.

Chen’s sentencing is not an isolated incident. Several other high-ranking soccer officials, including Chen Yongliang, Liu Lei, Yu Hongchen, and Dong Zheng, have also faced legal scrutiny, with sentences ranging from eight to 14 years. This crackdown echoes past endeavours, such as the 2012 convictions of former CFA chairmen Xie Yalong and Nan Yong.

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Report: Former Chinese Soccer chief Chen Xuyuan sentenced life imprisonment

A few other high-ranking officials have also faced legal scrutiny.

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