Son Jun-ho Permanently Banned From China for Match Fixing

Son Jun-ho Permanently Banned From China for “Match Fixing”… “It’s Absurd”

Son Jun-ho (Suwon FC), a former national soccer team member who was detained by Chinese police for 10 months on suspicion of match-fixing in China and released in March, has been permanently banned from the Chinese Football Association.

On the 10th, the Chinese Football Association announced, "According to the facts recognized by the judicial authorities, former Shandong Taishan player Son Jun-ho participated in illicit transactions to seek illicit profits, manipulated soccer matches and obtained illegal profits," and "Son Jun-ho is banned from any activities related to soccer for life."

In addition to Son Jun-ho, the association also permanently expelled 43 players who played for Shandong Taishan, Shenyang Hongyun, Jiangsu Suning, and Shanghai Shenhua, and suspended 17 players for five years.

Son Jun-ho was taken into police custody while trying to return to China via Shanghai Hongqiao Airport in May of last year. 온라인카지노사이트

He was later taken into criminal custody and investigated by the Chaoyang Public Security Bureau of Liaoning Province, and the charge was reportedly “bribery of non-state agents.”

This charge applies to cases where a non-governmental organization or person illegally receives property from another person by taking advantage of their official position.

Some have raised the possibility that he was involved in match-fixing or that bribes were exchanged during his transfer to Shandong, but Son Jun-ho's side strongly denied them.

Son Jun-ho was released and returned to Korea in March, and joined Suwon FC in June, playing in K League 1.

Since returning to Korea, Son Jun-ho has kept quiet about the reason for his punishment in China.

Recently, national soccer team coach Hong Myung-bo announced the roster for the first and second matches of the 2026 North and Central America World Cup Asian region third qualifying round, excluding Son Jun-ho, and said, "We are continuing to watch, but there were some parts that were not clear."

Son Jun-ho's agent told Yonhap News, "It's disconcerting and absurd.

When he was first detained, he was charged with bribery by a non-state agent."

"It's absurd to suddenly announce match-fixing now.

We will also hold a press conference to disclose all the facts."

A Suwon FC official said, "Regardless of whether Son Jun-ho's charges are true or false, we are hesitant to play Son Jun-ho in this weekend's game," and "There was no mention of match-fixing at all when signing the contract, and he strongly denied any bribery."

The details of the disciplinary action taken by the Chinese Football Association will be reported to the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), and FIFA will hold a disciplinary committee to notify each member country of the details of the disciplinary action against the player.

Then, Son Jun-ho will not be able to continue his career as a player unless the Chinese Football Association withdraws the disciplinary action.

A Korea Football Association official said, “In the current situation, Son Jun-ho cannot work in China,” and added, “However, he can play on the domestic stage until FIFA’s disciplinary action is finalized.”

He added, “FIFA virtually accepts the disciplinary action of its member countries as is.”

Son Jun-ho’s only option appears to be to appeal through the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

The official added, “The Korea Football Association will also look into whether there is an appeal procedure for this decision, but it won’t be easy.”

“For now, the player should consider directly appealing to CAS.”