A former chief of China's soccer association has been sentenced to life in prison for accepting more than $10 million in bribes, state media reported on Tuesday, following one of the biggest anti-corruption probes in the sport in years. The sentence handed down to Chen Xuyuan came in the wake of probes into more than a dozen high-level soccer officials since late 2022. Chen had brought "tremendous damage" to Chinese soccer, the official Xinhua news agency reported, citing a court ruling.

The sport has long grappled with corruption, which fans have blamed for the enduring underperformance of the national team. In 2012, two former chiefs of the same soccer association were each sentenced to 10 1/2 years in jail for taking bribes. Chen, 67, had worked on the docks in Shanghai when he was a youth. He eventually became the head of Shanghai International Port Co in the 2010s, before chairing the Chinese Football Association (CFA) in 2019.

A court in central Hubei province found Chen had taken advantage of his various posts from 2010 to 2023, including those linked to the CFA, to aid others in matters regarding project contracting, investment operations and sports events arrangements, Xinhua reported. In return, Chen accepted money and valuables worth over 81 million yuan ($11.22 million).

In a state TV documentary series on corruption aired in January, Chen confessed to accepting bribes and described one incident the night before he became CFA chairman when he received backpacks containing cash from two local soccer officials. Confessions of corruption have become a common feature on national television since President Xi Jinping came to power and unleashed a sweeping anti-graft campaign.

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"They came into my room, casually placed their backpacks on my sofa, and said, 'congratulations, president Chen, we hope you can take care of us more,'" he said. "When I asked what they were offering, they responded it is just a tradition and they all do it this way."

On Chen's sentencing, the People's Daily, the official paper of the ruling Communist Party, said there was no end point to the fight against corruption. "The systemic corruption in soccer is by no means accidental," the newspaper wrote. "It is imperative to trace back to the source and address the symptoms and root causes."

Other soccer officials probed for corruption included Chen Yongliang, former CFA executive deputy secretary-general, Liu Lei, a former director at the Wuhan Football Management Centre, Yu Hongchen, a former vice head of the CFA, and Dong Zheng, a former general manager of the Chinese Super League.

Chen has been sentenced to 14 years in prison, Yu 13 years, Dong eight years, and Liu 2 1/2 years, according to state media on Tuesday. Li Tie, former head coach of the national men's team, and Du Zhaocai, former CFA vice chairman, both similarly accused of corruption, have yet to receive their judgements.

A former chief of China's soccer association has been sentenced to life in prison for accepting more than $10 million in bribes, state media reported on Tuesday, following one of the biggest anti-corruption probes in the sport in years.

A former chief of China's soccer association has been sentenced to life in prison for accepting more than $10 million in bribes, state media reported on Tuesday, following one of the biggest anti-corruption probes in the sport in years. The sentence handed down to Chen Xuyuan came in the wake of probes into more than a dozen high-level soccer officials since late 2022. Chen had brought "tremendous damage" to Chinese soccer, the official Xinhua news agency reported, citing a court ruling. The sport has long grappled with corruption, which fans have blamed for the enduring underperformance of the national team. In 2012, two former chiefs of the same soccer association were each sentenced to 10 1/2 years in jail for taking bribes. Chen, 67, had worked on the docks in Shanghai when he was a youth. He eventually became the head of Shanghai International Port Co in the 2010s, before chairing the Chinese Football Association (CFA) in 2019. A court in central Hubei province found Chen had taken advantage of his various posts from 2010 to 2023, including those linked to the CFA, to aid others in matters regarding project contracting, investment operations and sports events arrangements, Xinhua reported. In return, Chen accepted money and valuables worth over 81 million yuan ($11.22 million). In a state TV documentary series on corruption aired in January, Chen confessed to accepting bribes and described one incident the night before he became CFA chairman when he received backpacks containing cash from two local soccer officials. Confessions of corruption have become a common feature on national television since President Xi Jinping came to power and unleashed a sweeping anti-graft campaign. Also read: Argentina forward Angel Di Maria threatened by drug gangs in hometown - Report "They came into my room, casually placed their backpacks on my sofa, and said, 'congratulations, president Chen, we hope you can take care of us more,'" he said. "When I asked what they were offering, they responded it is just a tradition and they all do it this way." On Chen's sentencing, the People's Daily, the official paper of the ruling Communist Party, said there was no end point to the fight against corruption. "The systemic corruption in soccer is by no means accidental," the newspaper wrote. "It is imperative to trace back to the source and address the symptoms and root causes." Other soccer officials probed for corruption included Chen Yongliang, former CFA executive deputy secretary-general, Liu Lei, a former director at the Wuhan Football Management Centre, Yu Hongchen, a former vice head of the CFA, and Dong Zheng, a former general manager of the Chinese Super League. Chen has been sentenced to 14 years in prison, Yu 13 years, Dong eight years, and Liu 2 1/2 years, according to state media on Tuesday. Li Tie, former head coach of the national men's team, and Du Zhaocai, former CFA vice chairman, both similarly accused of corruption, have yet to receive their judgements.

Former China soccer head Chen Xuyuan jailed for life after corruption crackdown

The former head of the Chinese Football Association was formally charged on Tuesday for "accepting bribes", provincial prosecutors said, shedding further light on his case after an investigation was launched in February.

The indictment comes as Chinese authorities pursue a crackdown on malpractice in the sport which has also seen former national team coach Li Tie charged with corruption in August.

Former CFA president Chen Xuyuan was charged with "seeking benefits for other people and illegally accepting property from others of a particularly large amount," said the Hubei Provincial People's Procuratorate in a statement.

It said his case had been transferred for prosecution.

"(He) should be held criminally responsible for... accepting bribes."

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A formal probe into Chen was announced in February by the government's sport agency, which accused him at the time of "serious violations of discipline and the law".

Fighting alleged corruption has long been a central theme of President Xi Jinping's rule, with the Chinese leader waging a sweeping campaign since taking office that critics claim helps him purge political rivals.

Xi has described himself as a football fan and said he dreams of China hosting and winning a World Cup one day.

But after a boom period when clubs in China's top domestic league signed foreign stars for exorbitant fees, many teams hit hard times with several -- including former champions Jiangsu FC -- going bust.

Chen had previously talked of launching a "new image and face of Chinese football".

The former Shanghai dockworker had been appointed on the promise of revamping the standing of a league with a reputation for excessive spending and poor financial management.

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The former head of the Chinese Football Association was formally charged on Tuesday for "accepting bribes", provincial prosecutors said, shedding further light on his case after an investigation was launched in February.

The former head of the Chinese Football Association was formally charged on Tuesday for "accepting bribes", provincial prosecutors said, shedding further light on his case after an investigation was launched in February. The indictment comes as Chinese authorities pursue a crackdown on malpractice in the sport which has also seen former national team coach Li Tie charged with corruption in August. Former CFA president Chen Xuyuan was charged with "seeking benefits for other people and illegally accepting property from others of a particularly large amount," said the Hubei Provincial People's Procuratorate in a statement. It said his case had been transferred for prosecution. "(He) should be held criminally responsible for... accepting bribes." ALSO READ: Spain's women players back with 'sticking to football' after ending boycott: Bonmati A formal probe into Chen was announced in February by the government's sport agency, which accused him at the time of "serious violations of discipline and the law". Fighting alleged corruption has long been a central theme of President Xi Jinping's rule, with the Chinese leader waging a sweeping campaign since taking office that critics claim helps him purge political rivals. Xi has described himself as a football fan and said he dreams of China hosting and winning a World Cup one day. But after a boom period when clubs in China's top domestic league signed foreign stars for exorbitant fees, many teams hit hard times with several -- including former champions Jiangsu FC -- going bust. Chen had previously talked of launching a "new image and face of Chinese football". The former Shanghai dockworker had been appointed on the promise of revamping the standing of a league with a reputation for excessive spending and poor financial management. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Chinese Football Association's ex-boss Chen Xuyuan charged for 'accepting bribes'

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Former China soccer head Chen Xuyuan jailed for life after corruption crackdown

Chinese Football Association's ex-boss Chen Xuyuan charged for 'accepting bribes'