Children’s tournament at centre of latest match-fixing scandal in China football

Football match-fixing has raised its ugly head again in China, this time involving an under-10 boys’ game in Beijing where two teams scored six own goals between them.

The China Youth Football League clash between top-ranked sides Dongcheng Sports School 16 Orange and Kickers Lan finished 3-3, as both tried to avoid winning their group, thereby securing an easier route through the knockout stages.

Video of the game at Xiaojiahe Lvdong Tiandi Football Field quickly went viral, and the predictable backlash across Chinese social media quickly followed.

On Friday, the national governing body, which runs the competition, said it was investigating the incident, while the Beijing Football Association (BFA) disqualified both teams and permanently banned several people from any football-related activities in the city.

“The occurrence of such an incident in a youth competition is extremely egregious and has caused a serious negative impact,” the Chinese Football Association said. “The CFA will work with relevant departments to conduct an in‑depth investigation into the management and disciplinary issues involved.

“The CFA firmly opposes any form of fake match or misconduct that poisons the healthy growth of youth football and will impose severe penalties in line with the findings.”

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