Two Chinese clubs relegated over bribes

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BEIJING, Feb 23, 2010 (AFP) - Two top Chinese football clubs have been relegated for paying bribes, the sport's governing body in the country said Tuesday, amid a crackdown to rid the game of corruption.

Guangzhou GPC and Chengdu Blades were demoted to the second division, while second division team Qingdao Hailifeng have been disqualified entirely, China's Football Association said in a statement.

Qingdao Hailifeng were also fined 200,000 yuan (30,000 dollars), the statement said.

The Guangzhou team was penalised for paying bribes in August and September 2006, while the Chengdu Blades paid bribes in September 2007, the statement said, without providing further details.

"We were mentally prepared for such punishment," the China Daily quoted Guangzhou head coach Peng Weiguo as saying. "We will fight on."

Gambling, match-fixing, crooked referees and poor performances by the national team have made the sport the laughing stock of fans and a matter of mounting state concern.

The government in 2006 launched a probe into corruption blighting football which has reached the top echelons of the game, leading to the downfall of the head and deputy chief of the Chinese Football Association.