The head of China’s soccer federation has been arrested on corruption charges, in another blow to the country’s efforts to boost the sport domestically and internationally.
Chen Shuyuan was under investigation by national and provincial sports bodies in Hubei, according to a one-sentence statement from the ruling Communist Party’s anti-corruption body. No further details have been released of the charges against him.
Chen leads the Chinese Football Federation and serves as vice chairman of the organization’s party committee, reflecting the government’s strong influence on football promotion efforts.
Despite their success at the Olympics, China have barely qualified for a World Cup in nearly 20 years.
The country’s president and Communist Party leader Xi Jinping has announced his goal of transforming the country into a soccer powerhouse, but funding and enthusiasm appear to have waned.
A rapid succession of Chinese and foreign coaches passed through the national team. One of its most decorated former managers, former Everton and Sheffield United midfielder Li Tie, is jailed in a corruption investigation.
China’s top division soccer team has paid huge salaries to attract foreign talent, but the league has all but disappeared due to a long-discontinued “zero COVID” policy and ongoing financial problems.