According to state media in China, Chen Xuyuan, a former president of the Chinese Football Association (CFA), has been given a life sentence for bribery.

In January, Chen admitted to accepting bribes totaling 81 million yuan ($11.2m; £8.9m).

Under President Xi Jinping's anti-corruption campaign, various sectors including sports, finance, and the military have faced scrutiny. In football alone, numerous coaches and players have come under investigation.

Chen's trial at the Intermediate People's Court of Huangshi in central China uncovered his illegal activities spanning from 2010 to 2023, during which he held positions including president and chairman of Shanghai International Port Group.

Prosecutors revealed that Chen received money and gifts in exchange for facilitating project contracts and organizing sporting events.

The court's verdict highlighted the significant harm Chen caused to Chinese football, as reported by the state-controlled Xinhua news agency.

Additionally, state media reported that three other high-ranking football officials received sentences ranging from eight to 14 years for involvement in corruption.

Earlier this year, Li Tie, a former Everton midfielder and head coach of China's national men's soccer team, confessed to match-fixing and bribery, including offering bribes to individuals like Chen in pursuit of China's top coaching position.

In a related case, South Korean footballer Son Jun-ho, formerly of Shandong Taishan, was detained by police over bribery allegations. South Korea's foreign ministry later confirmed his release.

President Xi has previously expressed his vision of elevating China's status as a footballing powerhouse. In 2011, he outlined his 'three wishes' for Chinese football: to qualify for the World Cup, host the tournament, and ultimately win the trophy.

Over the past decade, clubs in China's Super League have spent huge sums of money to attract some of the world's top players, including Brazilian midfielder Oscar, former Argentina forward Carlos Tevez and Belgian international Axel Witsel.

However, that resulted in clubs piling up debts and the CFA announced a salary cap in 2020.

At the time, it said the move was aimed to focus investment on developing homegrown talent instead of importing international stars.

Now, only a small number of foreign players remain in the league.

Recent detentions of major football figures have dealt another setback to the country's football ambitions.

Despite these problems, domestic football is still popular in China and Mr Chen's corruption scandal shocked fans.

He reaped what he sowed

Noted