Former Portuguese Top Flight Player Banned For Life

Guo Tianyu, a former player in Portugal’s top flight, has been banned from football for life as part of a sweeping corruption investigation in China that has ensnared numerous players, officials, and clubs.

Guo, who made three appearances in Portugal for the then top-flight side Vizela in 2022, is among 43 individuals banned from football-related activities by the Chinese Football Association (CFA) following a two-year probe into match-fixing and other illegal activities. The scandal has shaken the foundations of Chinese football, involving 128 criminal suspects and 120 matches under scrutiny.

The CFA’s decision comes after a large-scale investigation that uncovered widespread corruption across multiple levels of Chinese football. The investigation, led by senior police official Zhang Xiaopeng, revealed numerous cases of online gambling, match-fixing, and bribery, according to Chinese state media outlet Xinhua. Over two years, investigators identified 120 league matches and 41 clubs involved in the scheme, culminating in the ban of 38 players and five club employees.

Guo Tianyu, a rising star who had briefly ventured to Europe to further his career, returned to China to play for Shandong Taishan before the investigation exposed his involvement in corrupt practices. His ban from football marks a sharp fall from grace for the former international, once seen as part of China’s bid to develop high-calibre footballers capable of competing on the global stage. Guo is one of three former Chinese national team players banned for life, alongside Jin Jingdao and Gu Chao, in a move that signals a harsh stance by authorities toward high-profile offenders.

The investigation’s findings were disclosed in a press conference held by Zhang Xiaopeng, who described the scale of corruption as alarming. “We have uncovered cases of online betting, match-fixing, and bribery, which have severely undermined the integrity of Chinese football,” Zhang said. “This investigation is a significant step in restoring fairness and discipline in the sport.”

The impact of the scandal extends beyond China’s borders, with several foreign players who were enticed to the Chinese Super League by lucrative contracts also caught up in the investigation. South Korean midfielder Son Jun-ho, who played for Shandong Taishan, and Cameroonian striker Ewolo Donovan, formerly of Heilongjiang Ice City, have both been handed five-year bans for their roles in the scandal. According to the CFA, Son’s actions “seriously violated ethics and the spirit of sport,” leading to severe societal repercussions.

The crackdown on corruption comes at a time when Chinese football is struggling to recover from the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Many clubs, already reeling from financial difficulties, are now facing further disruption as they grapple with the fallout from the scandal. The CFA has pledged to implement reforms aimed at preventing future corruption, but confidence in the sport’s integrity has been badly damaged.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has long sought to transform China into a football superpower, setting ambitious goals for the country’s football development. However, the ongoing corruption scandal underscores the difficulties the nation faces in achieving this dream. Plans to invest in new facilities and coaching staff have largely failed to yield the expected results, and the men’s national team has struggled on the international stage.

The CFA’s efforts to clean up the sport, beginning with the recent bans, are seen as a necessary step in rebuilding trust. However, with the investigation still ongoing and more revelations likely to emerge, the road to recovery for Chinese football may be a long one.