Shanghai Port, managed by Kevin Muscat, have been handed a points deduction, adding an unusual layer of context to his growing links with Leicester City.
Shanghai Port have been deducted points in the Chinese Super League under the management of Kevin Muscat.
The decision comes as Muscat continues to be linked with Leicester City following the club’s managerial vacancy.
The timing is ironic.
Leicester are currently facing the possibility of a points deduction of their own.
As a result, the situation adds an extra layer of context to ongoing discussions around Muscat’s future.
Why Shanghai Port Were Deducted Points
Shanghai Port received a five-point deduction in the Chinese Super League after the Chinese Football Association imposed sanctions following a wider corruption investigation.
The punishment forms part of a crackdown in which multiple clubs were penalised for their involvement in football-related gambling and match-fixing issues.
Shanghai Port will begin the 2026 season on minus five points as a result of the sanctions.
The Chinese FA’s actions also included lifetime bans for dozens of officials and coaches involved in the investigation, and several other clubs facing point penalties and fines.
What This Means for Kevin Muscat
The points deduction at Shanghai Port adds an unexpected layer to Kevin Muscat’s current situation.
While the sanction relates to league-wide issues rather than his own conduct, it comes at a time when his name continues to circulate in discussions around the Leicester City vacancy.
Muscat remains prominent in the market surrounding Leicester’s next managerial appointment, with his profile continuing to feature among the leading contenders as the club assess its options.
The wider context is also notable, with Leicester facing the possibility of a points deduction of their own as the season develops.
