Cao Yunding, the former head coach of China's national football team, has been arrested and is facing charges in relation to allegations of corruption. The arrest comes as part of an ongoing investigation into the financial dealings between the Chinese government and the Chinese football clubs.
According to court documents released by the Shanghai Municipal Criminal Bureau, Cao was involved in a scheme that sought to benefit himself financially through his involvement with a group known as "the Black Army," which he claimed was set up to launder money for the Chinese government. The document states that Cao allegedly received large sums of money from this group, but it did not provide any evidence of wrongdoing or illegal activities related to the money.
The charges against Cao stem from allegations that he misappropriated funds from the Chinese Football Association (CFA) during his tenure as the head coach of the China U-23 national team. This was alleged to have occurred while Cao was still serving as the head coach at the club level, rather than at the national team level.
Cao was also accused of receiving bribes from a group known as "the White Army" to secure lucrative deals for the Chinese football clubs. According to the documents, Cao allegedly used his position as head coach to receive kickbacks from these groups,Campeonato Brasileiro Action which were then used to finance the purchase of luxury items for the teams.
It remains unclear how Cao's actions fit within the broader context of corruption within the Chinese football industry, and there have been calls for him to be cleared of any wrongdoing. However, given the nature of the case, it seems likely that Cao will face significant legal challenges if convicted.
As a result of his arrest, Cao may face further investigations and possible jail time. It remains to be seen what impact this arrest will have on the future of the Chinese football industry and its governing body, the Chinese Football Association (CFA). However, it is clear that corruption in the Chinese football sector is a serious issue, and it is important for all stakeholders to take action to combat it.