(Yicai) March 26 -- The Chinese Football Association’s former chairman was handed a life sentence by a court in Hubei province today for taking brides worth CNY81 million (USD11 million), China Central Television reported.

Chen Xuyuan took advantage of his position at the head of Chinese soccer’s governing body and as chairman of Shanghai International Port Group from 2010 to 2023 to accept almost 220 bribes for help with project contracts, investment, and event management, CCTV said. The illegal funds were seized and the court has stripped Chen of his personal property.

In the past two years, China has been cracking down on corruption in sports, resulting in the downfall of a number of officials and players, including Li Tie, the former head coach of the men's national football team.

Chen, 67, headed the CFA from August 2019 until last February. Under his watch, SIPG acquired football club Shanghai East Asia in 2014, changed its name to Shanghai Port Football Club, and bought star players to help the team win its first Chinese Football Association Super League championship in 2018.

Also sentenced for bribery today were Chen Yongliang, former executive deputy secretary-general of the CFA, who was given 14 years in prison and fined CNY2.2 million (USD304,800) and Yu Hongchen, the CFA’s ex-vice president, who was handed 13 years and a CNY2 million fine. Dong Zheng, the Super League’s former general manager, received an eight-year jail term and was fined CNY2 million.

Editor: Emmi Laine