Pundits seek tougher sanctions

Many claim punishment will not deter the cheats

COMMENTATORS yesterday described penalties for corruption in Chinese football as inadequate, after 33 people were banned for life and Didier Drogba’s former club Shanghai Shenhua was stripped of the 2003 league title.

Shenhua were among a number of clubs and individuals punished by the Chinese Football Association (CFA) for match-fixing scandals.

But the measures would not deter corruption, football pundits said.

“I do not think this is enough to set an example. Where there is profit, there will be more people trying to get into it with illegal ways,” said one media commentator.

Shanghai Shenhua were also fined one million yuan (about R1.4-million) and received a six-point deduction for the new Chinese Super League season starting next month, as were Tianjin Teda.

China also has previously relegated teams from the country’s top league for match-fixing. Chengdu Blades FC and Guangzhou Pharmaceutical, who later became current champions Guangzhou Evergrande, were demoted in 2010.

Shanghai did not comment when contacted by AFP but a club source was quoted in domestic media as saying they had been “treated unjustly”.

“The football association believed the current team isn’t completely different to the mainstay of the team back then, so they insisted on the punishment and we cannot do anything about it,” the insider said.

Shanghai were found guilty of fixing a game against Shanxi Guoli during the 2003 campaign and were among 12 clubs given “disciplinary punishments”.

Tianjin were found guilty of fixing a game in the same season.

Jilin Yanbian were fined 500 000 yuan and deducted three points for throwing a match in 2006.

The CFA also banned 33 people from involvement with football for life, including former CFA heads Nan Yong and Xie Yalong, who have been convicted and jailed for taking bribes. Another 25 people were banned for five years. — Sapa-AFP