Chinese FA Bans 43 for Match-Fixing

The Chinese Football Association has issued lifetime bans to 43 individuals, including 38 players and five club officials, following a two-year investigation into match-fixing and gambling. Notable names among those banned include former Chinese internationals Jin Jingdao, Guo Tianyu, and Gu Chao, as well as South Korean player Son Jun-ho. The investigation implicated 120 matches and 41 clubs, revealing widespread corruption within Chinese football. The crackdown aligns with China's broader efforts to address corruption in sports, which have seen several high-ranking officials jailed. This comes as China aims to improve its football standing internationally, despite recent poor performances, such as a 7-0 loss to Japan in World Cup qualifiers.