I had thought that the former national football coach Li Tie fell into the net, threatening to become a heavy bomb in the anti-corruption storm of Chinese soccer. To my surprise, three months later, Li Tie is just a speck of dust in this anti-corruption campaign. As Chen Xuyuan, the chairman of the Football Association, and others have been taken away one after another, another legend of Chinese soccer has been captured today, and this person is none other than Yu Hongchen, the former vice-chairman of the Football Association and the current chairman of the Athletic Association.
March 29, Hubei Commission for Discipline Inspection and Supervision announced a succession of heavy news: the former general manager of the Chinese Super League, Dong Zheng, Athletics Association Chairman Yu Hongchen, were examined and investigated. It is worth noting that, although Yu Hongchen now serves as chairman of the Athletics Association, but he has been deeply engaged in the field of Chinese soccer since 2010, served as deputy director of the Football Association, the chairman of the Chinese Super League Company, the vice chairman of the Football Association, the full-time executive member, the 2016 Olympic Games Chinese women's football team leader.In 2017, he switched to the Athletics Management Center in January 2023, climbed a new peak, in addition to the Athletics Management Center, but also served as the Athletics Association President.
How did this jailed censor make it all the way to the top with his soccer resume? When it comes to Hongchen, he is a hero of Chinese soccer. His main achievements are two: first, eight years ago, he led the anti-gambling and counterfeiting storm, sending Xie Yalong, Nan Yong and other soccer worms to jail; second, he created the era of seven foreign aid for Chinese soccer clubs, bringing glory to Evergrande Football Club. At that time, Evergrande introduced seven foreign aiders in one breath, which was known as sweeping the peak.
However, after Hongchen was taken away for investigation, these two major achievements of his seem to have become a laughing stock. Eight years ago, after Nan Yong was arrested, Hongchen took over as vice-chairman. He once said, "This is the most profound warning education around us. The mistakes of these top industry leaders are really sad. I hope everyone in the soccer industry can take this opportunity to reflect and realize their own shortcomings. Today, Chinese soccer has the best opportunity for multi-pronged development." Now that he has been taken away for the same issue, his words are still ringing in our ears.
In addition to the Evergrande appreciated Hongchen, all clubs in the same period of time on the Evergrande seven foreign aid policy is also quite critical. Guoan boss Luo Ning had angrily questioned: "What is the basis for increasing to seven foreign aiders now? Why not eight or twenty?" He also questioned Hongchen's behavior: "As the vice-chairman of the Football Association, Yu Hongchen did not go to work; in the AFC Champions League in Hong Kong, Luneng, and Guizhou, Yu Hongchen did not personally go to the scene to cheer; only Evergrande's AFC Champions League matches were not reported, and Hongchen did not report for duty."
Today, everything seems to be at a tipping point!
