Sports
China Bans 73 Football Officials For Life In Shocking Match-Fixing Scandal
Former national coach Li Tie and 13 top clubs face lifetime bans, fines, and points deductions
China’s football world is in turmoil after the Chinese Football Association (CFA) announced lifetime bans for 73 officials, including former national team coach Li Tie, as part of a sweeping crackdown on match-fixing and corruption.
In addition, 13 of the country’s top professional clubs have been fined and docked points ahead of the 2026 Chinese Super League (CSL) season.
The CFA on Thursday, said the punishments were the result of a “systematic review” aimed at enforcing discipline, purifying the football environment, and maintaining fair competition.
ALSO READ: China Agrees To Ease Rare Earth Ban As Trump Slashes Tariffs
Li Tie, who managed China’s national team from 2019 to 2021 and is a former Everton player, is already serving a 20-year prison sentence for bribery.
He is now banned from all football activities for life.
Top clubs also face harsh penalties. Tianjin Jinmen Tiger and Shanghai Shenhua will start the new season with 10-point deductions and million-yuan fines, while three-time champions Shanghai Port will face a five-point reduction and a 400,000-yuan fine.
Other teams will begin with negative points as well, reflecting the severity of the infractions.
The CFA did not provide details about the exact nature of the match-fixing or bribery but emphasized that the punishments were determined by “the amount, circumstances, nature, and social impact of the violations.”
President Xi Jinping, who has long expressed his ambition for China to host and eventually win a World Cup, has overseen a strict anti-corruption drive across Chinese football, leading to the imprisonment of several top officials and the banning of dozens of players.
The CFA promised to maintain a zero-tolerance policy, saying any violations discovered would be dealt with promptly and decisively.
Financial instability continues to plague Chinese football.
Guangzhou FC, historically the most successful CSL club, folded in 2025 after failing to settle debts in time for the season, highlighting the challenges facing the league even as the authorities try to clean up the sport.
Spain’s celebrations after winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup were overshadowed by tragedy after a 13-year-old boy died and several others were injured when a fountain collapsed during jubilant scenes in the western Spanish town of Ciudad Rodrigo.
The heartbreaking incident occurred shortly after Spain secured a historic 1-0 victory over Argentina in the World Cup final, ending a 16-year wait for the country’s second global football title.
RELATED NEWS: BREAKING: Spain Dethrone Argentina to Win 2026 FIFA World Cup
According to local authorities, emergency services received multiple distress calls at around 12:30 a.m. local time after a fountain packed with celebrating fans suddenly collapsed.
In a statement posted on Facebook, Ciudad Rodrigo City Hall confirmed the teenager’s death and expressed condolences to the victim’s family.
“The city hall of Ciudad Rodrigo expresses its sadness and presents its condolences for the death of a boy of 13.”
The municipality described the incident as a devastating turn of events, saying: “What should have been a celebration of Spain’s team in the football World Cup turned into tragedy.”
Emergency services also confirmed that another youth was injured in the collapse, while several others sustained injuries as rescue teams rushed to the scene.
Local media reported that the fountain gave way under the weight of dozens of fans who had climbed onto the structure to celebrate Spain’s World Cup triumph.
The fatal accident cast a somber mood over celebrations across the football-loving nation, with many expressing grief just hours after Spain’s memorable victory on the world stage.
Spain have been crowned 2026 FIFA World Cup champions after defeating defending champions Argentina in a thrilling final to reclaim football’s biggest prize.
La Roja delivered a composed and determined performance on the grandest stage, overcoming the South American giants to secure their second FIFA World Cup title and their first since their historic triumph in 2010.
The highly anticipated showdown lived up to expectations as both teams battled fiercely for global supremacy.
SEE ALSO: BREAKING: England Crush France 6-4 to Clinch World Cup Bronze
However, Spain’s tactical discipline, attacking quality, and defensive resilience proved decisive as they ended Argentina’s reign as world champions.
Spain’s road to glory included impressive victories over some of the tournament’s strongest sides, underlining their dominance throughout the competition.
The triumph also marks the culmination of a remarkable resurgence led by a talented new generation of stars, who have restored Spain to the pinnacle of world football.
For Argentina, the defeat ends their hopes of retaining the World Cup crown, despite another spirited campaign that saw them reach a second consecutive final.
Spain’s victory cements their place among football’s elite once again, bringing the 2026 FIFA World Cup to a memorable conclusion.
England ended their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign on a high after defeating France 6-4 in a pulsating third-place playoff at Miami Stadium on Saturday to secure the bronze medal.
Thomas Tuchel’s men produced an electric attacking display, storming into a commanding four-goal lead before France launched a spirited comeback.
SEE ALSO: FIFA Makes Historic Change as World Cup Winners to Receive Championship Rings
Declan Rice opened the scoring early, while Ezri Konsa doubled England’s advantage. Bukayo Saka then stole the show with a first-half brace as the Three Lions headed into the break with complete control of the contest.
France responded strongly after halftime, with captain Kylian Mbappé leading the charge by scoring twice.
Bradley Barcola also found the net to reduce the deficit and briefly raise hopes of an unlikely comeback for Les Bleus.
However, England had the final say as Saka completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot deep into stoppage time to seal a thrilling 5-3 victory and confirm England’s third-place finish at the tournament.
The victory marked a fitting response to England’s heartbreaking semi-final defeat to Argentina and secured the nation’s best World Cup finish since 1966.
France, meanwhile, ended the tournament in fourth place after suffering back-to-back defeats in the knockout stage.
Attention now shifts to Sunday’s World Cup final, where Spain will battle defending champions Argentina for football’s biggest prize.
NLNG Celebrates Nnaji’s Contribution to Science, Innovation
NUPRC Gives Licencees 90-Day Deadline to Meet Conditions
Lokpobiri Credits PIA with Ending Arbitrary Oil Blocks Allocation
NUPRC Urges Prompt Compliance, Awards 37 Oil Blocks
Petrol Loading Resumes as Depot Prices Climb
Sahara Group Drives Africa’s Energy Future with Asharami Square 3.0
Trump’s Family Unveils New Cryptocurrency Platform
Senate Denies Receiving Petitions Against Tinubu’s Ambassadorial Nominees
Dangote Cement Lights Up Benue Host Communities With CSR Initiatives
Reps Recommend 3-year Jail Term For Aviation minister
Tems Sets New Record On Billboard Hot 100 Chart
