On January 30, 2024, the Intermediate People's Court of Huangshi City, Hubei Province held a public hearing of the first instance on the bribery case of Yu Hongchen, the former chairman of the Chinese Athletics Association.
The Huangshi Municipal People's Procuratorate accused: The defendant Yu Hongchen successively used his position as deputy director of the Football Management Center of the State Sports General Administration, chairman of the Chinese Super League Co., Ltd., vice chairman and party committee secretary of the Chinese Football Association, director of the Track and Field Management Center of the State Sports General Administration, The convenience of holding positions such as vice chairman and secretary-general of the Chinese Athletics Association, as well as the convenient conditions for the formation of powers and status, provide assistance to relevant units and individuals in matters such as company management, league promotion, job competition, etc., from April 2010 to February 2023. In August, the total amount of illegally received property from others was more than 22.54 million yuan, of which 3.5 million yuan has not been actually obtained. The procuratorate requested that Yu Hongchen be held criminally responsible for accepting bribes.
During the trial, the procuratorate presented relevant evidence, and the defendant Yu Hongchen and his defender conducted cross-examination. The prosecution and defense fully expressed their opinions under the auspices of the court. Yu Hongchen made a final statement and expressed his guilt and repentance in court.
At the end of the trial, the court adjourned and announced the verdict at a later date.
More than 30 people including NPC deputies, CPPCC members, journalists and people from all walks of life attended the trial.
The bribery case of Dong Zheng, the former general manager of China Ford Football Industry Development Company and the former general manager of the Chinese Super League Co., Ltd., was also heard in public at the People's Court of Songzi City, Hubei Province on the same day.
(CCTV reporter Xi Danni and Cheng Qinwubing)