A screen shot of the press conference held in Beijing on January 29, 2026.

Chinese Super League (CSL) clubs Shanghai Shenhua and Tianjin Jinmen Tiger have each been docked 10 points for the new season and fined 1 million yuan ($143,789), while 13 Chinese clubs were penalized in total, with none being relegated, according to a press conference jointly held by China's Ministry of Public Security, the General Administration of Sport and CFA in Beijing on Thursday, CCTV News reported. 

Former Chinese Football Association (CFA) president Chen Xuyuan, who was sentenced to life imprisonment for bribery in 2024, and former Chinese national team head coach Li Tie were among 73 people given lifetime bans from participating in football-related activities, according to the press conference.

The 2026 CSL season will kick off on March 6 and last until November 8.
 
Shanghai Shenhua finished as runners-up in the 2025 season, while Tianjin finished in sixth place, according to the Chinese Professional Football League.
 
The announcement marked China’s latest efforts in its sweeping anti-corruption campaign within the football sector. 

In September 2024, the CFA announced at a press conference that 43 individuals were banned for life from participating in football-related activities for gambling and match-fixing, including South Korean player Son Jun-ho.