A Chinese third-tier club, Changchun Xidu, was recently fined ¥30,000 (about $4,190) by the Chinese Professional Football League for placing yellow paper charms in the away team’s locker room—purportedly to curse rival Shanxi Chongde Ronghai ahead of their June 28 match. The club won 2–0, but league officials called the practice unsportsmanlike and detrimental to fair play
Superstitions in Football: A Widespread Phenomenon
Kenya & East Africa
Superstitious practices—known as juju—are deeply rooted in East African football:
- Kenyan clubs have used amulets, potions, and ritual objects to gain advantage
- Former defender Collins Shivachi revealed carrying ritual medicine on-field and warned of its negative impact: “I would advise young players to not go towards that direction … Something always happens to them.”
- Rituals have reportedly involved urinating on fields, sacrificing animals, and burying objects—sometimes penalized (e.g., Yanga and Simba fined $500 each)
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Continental Insight
Rituals and superstitions in football aren’t confined to East Africa:
- In Tanzania, Simba SC’s stewards faced stadium bans in 2024 for juju rituals
- In Ghana, clubs like Medeama have visited local spiritual councils before continental matches
Why This Matters
- Fairness & Integrity
Superstitious tactics—like the charms in this Chinese case—undermine sportsmanship and may lead to escalating unethical behavior. - Culture vs. Modern Sport
While some view juju as tradition, leagues worldwide are increasingly taking action to ensure fair play—issuing fines and bans. - Player Welfare
In some cases, reliance on juju has negatively affected careers and well-being. Shivachi noted that players involved often experienced harm or early burnout
Bottom Line
The fine against Changchun Xidu highlights a global tension: traditional beliefs clashing with modern sports ethics. Superstitions may persist, but regulatory bodies are clearly drawing lines—and enforcing consequences when they’re crossed.
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