Yang Shanping (Chinese: 杨善平; pinyin: Yáng Shànpíng; born 28 October 1987) is a Chinese former professional footballer who played as a defender.
On 10 September 2024, Chinese Football Association announced that Yang was banned from football-related activities for lifetime for involving in match-fixing.[1][2]
Club career
Yang Shanping started his football career with Liaoning Whowin when he made his debut on 15 May 2005 in a 3-1 win against Shenzhen Jianlibao.[3] After making his debut, he would become a regular and vital member within the team's defence.[4] When he missed much of the 2008 league season, the team's performances suffered and Liaoning was subsequently relegated to the second tier. When Yang returned into the team, he would immediately aid them in their promotion push and saw the club win the second tier league title.
Yang transferred to Chinese Super League newcomer Tianjin Quanjian on 2 January 2017.[5] He made his debut in a league game for Tianjin on 4 March 2017 in a 2–0 away loss against Guangzhou R&F.[6] Throughout the season he would struggle to establish himself as an integral member of the team and only make 14 league appearances.
On 28 February 2018, Yang was loaned to top tier club Dalian Yifang (now known as Dalian Professional) for the 2018 season.[7] He would make his debut in a league game on 3 March 2018 against Shanghai SIPG in an 8-0 defeat.[8] Despite the heavy loss he would go on to establish himself as an integral member of the team's defence and would make his permanent on 13 February 2019.[9]
On September 10, 2024, Yang was accused of "participating in unfair transactions, manipulating football matches, and obtaining illegal profits" and was banned from engaging in any football-related activities in China for life.