Song Kai Appointed as President of the Chinese Football Association

Xinhua News Agency announced today, Monday, that Song Kai has been appointed as the new president of the Chinese Football Association, at a time when authorities are conducting extensive investigations into corruption within the sport's governing body. Chinese media reported that Song serves as the director of the Sports Office in Liaoning Province. The official agency added that Song Wen, Yuan Yongsheng, Yang Xiu, and Xu Jiren have been appointed as deputies to the new president of the country's football association. Earlier, official media reported that the Chinese prosecutor ordered the arrest last week of former Vice President of the Chinese Football Association, Dou Chaokai, on suspicion of accepting bribes. In September, Chinese authorities announced that they had charged the former president of the national football governing body, Chen Xiuyuan, with abuse of power and influence. Official media indicated last week that authorities have been investigating more than ten officials working in the football sector since November of last year.