Tue Sep 10 17:05:21 UTC 2024: ## Chinese Football Rocked by Match-Fixing Scandal: 38 Players Banned for Life

**BEIJING** – In a major blow to Chinese football, the Chinese Football Association (CFA) has handed down lifetime bans to 38 players and five team executives for their involvement in match-fixing and gambling. The CFA completed a two-year investigation into the scandal, revealing that 120 games were manipulated, impacting 41 clubs.

The investigation identified 128 suspects in total, including those not associated with teams. While the CFA did not specify the location of all manipulated games, the scale of the operation is a serious concern for the sport.

Among the players banned are former China internationals Jin Jingdao and Chao Gu. Jingdao, a midfielder with a notable career spanning 222 games, last played for SD Taishan in 2023. Gu, a former goalkeeper, earned two caps for China in 2016.

Another notable name on the banned list is South Korean midfielder Jun-ho Son, currently playing for Suwon. Son was detained in China for 10 months before joining Suwon in the summer. His agent, Park Dae-yeon, has labeled the accusations against him as “ridiculous” and promised a press conference where Son will address the issue.

Suwon officials have confirmed that Son will continue playing for the club, arguing that the Chinese ban doesn’t apply to them. However, it remains unclear whether FIFA or the Korean Football Association will intervene.

This scandal highlights a serious problem within Chinese football. The CFA’s tough stance, with lifetime bans for those found guilty, shows their commitment to tackling match-fixing and restoring integrity to the sport.

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