April 11 – Chinese football will be cleaned-up within a year, the new head of the sport there has promised FIFA President Sepp Blatter.
Wei Di has taken over as the general secretary of the Chinese Football Association (CFA) after his predecessor Nan Yong was caught up in an anti-corruption crackdown
Wei has travelled to FIFA’s headquarters in Zurich to discuss the country’s match-fixing scandal with Blatter.
More than 20 CFA and club officials have been arrested.
“I told him that the CFA will strive to change the image of Chinese football and raise public trust in the CFA within a year,” Wei (pictured) told Chinese state media.
“During the meeting, Blatter not only expressed his understanding, but also his positive support for the CFA’s activity.
“FIFA firmly supports the CFA’s handling of the ugly [match-fixing] phenomenon, and moreover is willing to work hard with the CFA to improve the image of Chinese football as soon as possible.”
Football in China has suffered years of misery and violence on the pitch and corruption off it, culminating in a series of match-fixing scandals over the last five months that have left it reeling.
Wei said: ”I took over during a very turbulent period. I was not directly involved in football before but I was shocked to know what was happening to Chinese football.
“I have been given a very big responsibility to work closely with all football professionals to change the Chinese football environment, rebuild and improve its credibility and reputation.
“Honestly, I was not quite sure whether I was making the right decision after I first arrived in the CFA but now I am much more confident and a lot more dedicated towards this post.”
