An interesting article on Guardian today. It is about “country’s most popular spectator sport rebels against bribe-taking and match-fixing.”
“The tussle is a microcosm of wider tensions between private businesses and Communist party officials as China moves to a capitalist economy.
Compared with other businesses, football is heavily exposed to commercial pressures, international competition and the media. Despite qualifying for the World Cup for the first time in 2002 and reaching the final of the Asian Cup this year, the national team has failed to live up to the high expectations of the planet’s most populous country.
Private investors, broadcasters and international sponsors are furious about the way the business is run.
Last week’s volte face by the CFA was hailed as a breakthrough and its impact could be felt beyond the sport.
In private, many businessmen complain about the inefficiencies and corruption of China’s closed political system.
The Communist party has identified such weaknesses as one of the biggest threats to its legitimacy. ”
