Former senior soccer official pleads guilty to bribe-taking

Former head of the Chinese Football Association, Chen Xuyuan, pleaded guilty on Monday to charges of taking bribes amounting to approximately 81 million yuan ($11.3 million).

A public hearing of Chen's case was held at the Huangshi Intermediate People's Court in Central China's Hubei province, where Chen expressed remorse in his final statement. A verdict will be delivered at a later date.

Prosecutors alleged that from 2010 to 2023, Chen misused his positions, including that of president of the Shanghai International Port Group and president of the CFA, to provide assistance to certain entities and individuals in matters such as project contracting, investment and event arrangements. In return, he allegedly accepted property and money amounting to around 81.03 million yuan from them.