Footballer uncovers corrupt practices and manipulated games in Chinese football scene amidst the COVID-19 crisis.
A player who previously competed in the Chinese Super League (CSL) and China League 1 (CL1) has openly spoke about match-fixing and corruption during the Covid pandemic in China. The footballer disclosed that permanent bans had been given out to players and officials.
Over 120 football matches were tampered with during the Covid pandemic in Chinese football
An unnamed Chinese footballer reportedly shared information with the media about match-fixing and corruption that took place during the Covid pandemic from 2020 to 2021, as mentioned in an article published by scmp.com [English link].
As per his statement, the Chinese Football Association (CFA) handed out lifetime bans to 38 players and five club officials. Moreover, he claimed that 120 matches were tampered with, involving 41 clubs.
The technique used for match-fixing was revealed
The unnamed footballer also detailed the method utilized in match-fixing. Club officials, coaches, and players paid opposing teams to intentionally lose games. He stated that he could identify before the game started if it was being manipulated:
From my experience, clubs would collude with each other. [...] Coaches and team managers from opposing teams with good relationships, and teams looking to secure promotion, would purchase the games. [...] Things got so bad that I knew which games we were going to sell. [...]
I could tell by the training two days before if we were going to win. If we wanted to win, we would do 11 versus 11 in training, focus on set pieces, have team meetings, and analyze footage. [...]
But if we were going to lose, we would train 15 versus 15 on half-sized pitches, and coaches would go along with it, making me feel as if I was back in school.– Anonymous Player, a former Chinese professional footballer, scmp.com**
René Schnitzler, a former German professional footballer, was involved in match-fixing in Germany
Former German footballer René Schnitzler admitted to collaborating with the mafia and accepting bribes to fix matches while playing for FC St. Pauli from 2008 to 2009. Schnitzler received approximately 100,000 euros from an Asian gambling boss to manipulate matches in the 2nd Bundesliga.
Schnitzler claimed he accepted the bribe due to his financial situation and gambling addiction. Investigations into international match-fixing led to Schnitzler being targeted by authorities. The investigation revealed the payment of money to Schnitzler for match-fixing.
Schnitzler admitted to accepting the bribe but claimed he did not participate in match-fixing or intentionally play poorly. Lack of evidence for match-fixing resulted in Schnitzler being acquitted in a later trial.
Later, Schnitzler published a book titled Gambling League, discussing his football career and his relationships with the mafia.
Footballers took bets on manipulated matches
The unnamed Chinese professional footballer also claimed that a planned fix could be detected on the day of the game by the coach's behavior. The coach would only announce the lineup without discussing tactics. Some of his teammates recognized a pattern and placed bets on their own team to lose:
Many players noticed what I noticed, and then they would bet that we would lose.– Anonymous Player, a former Chinese professional footballer, scmp.com**
However, he maintained his innocence, insisting that he never took part in match-fixing or bet on his team's games. He claimed that a representative from another club had offered him 20,000 yuan (2,600 euros) as a bribe, which he declined.
Following the footballer's revelations, various news outlets picked up the story, leading to widespread discussion about the extent of match-fixing and corruption in Chinese football.
The disclosure from the unnamed player has sparked an investigation into potential match-fixing and corruption cases in Chinese football, with news outlets closely monitoring any developments.
Read also:
- Leverkusen claims victory in the cup, securing a double triumph.
- Alonso achieves a double victory after consuming a German brew.
- Does the SVolt factory in Saarland face stability issues?
- Furor surrounding Sylt scandal footage