Shanghai Shenhua finished two points behind champions Shanghai Port last seasonNine teams will start the upcoming Chinese Super League season with a points deduction after clubs were sanctioned following an investigation into "match-fixing, gambling, and corruption in the football industry". Shanghai Shenhua, last season's runners-up, suffered the toughest sanction alongside Tianjin Tigers, with the pair receiving a 10-point deduction each. Four punished sides have already been relegated to China League One. The 13 teams have also been fined between £21,000 and £104,000 (200,000 and one million yuan). A statement, external said the penalties were intended "To uphold industry discipline, purify the football environment, and maintain fair competition."