Chinese police have detained three more former top soccer officials — including a one-time head of the national association — in a widening gambling and match-fixing probe, the Beijing News said yesterday.
Former Chinese Football Association (CFA) director Xie Yalong was taken into police custody last week for questioning along with a former top Team China official and a CFA official who headed the referee commission, the Beijing News said.
China’s professional leagues have been plagued with allegations of gambling, match-fixing and crooked referees for years.
That, coupled with the national side’s poor performances, have long made the “beautiful game” a source of chagrin for diehard fans.
Early this year, the scandal exploded when Xie’s successor Nan Yong and two of his top lieutenants at the CFA were arrested on bribe-taking and match-fixing charges. Scores of officials and referees have been detained.
According to the Beijing News, Xie was taken at the weekend to the northeastern city of Shenyang, where the investigation is based, to be interrogated on his ties with Nan and his top aides.
The trials of Nan, former CFA vice head Yang Yimin and one-time head of CFA refereeing Zhang Jianqiang could be imminent as prosecutors have already handed over investigation documents to the courts, state media have reported.
Numerous reports said Xie was unlikely to be implicated in the scandal, but the fate of the other two officials was unclear.
A CFA spokesman refused to comment on the detentions or the expected trials when contacted by AFP.
Xie, a soccer outsider, served as CFA director from 2005 to last year, when Nan oversaw the national team and professional league.
Xie had been tasked with cleaning up the professional league and bringing the national side back to prominence — tasks that largely went unfulfilled. He was replaced last year by Nan, to the applause of the sporting press.
Nan served as CFA head for less than a year before he was arrested, reportedly for crimes that began early in his tenure at the association.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely