Former National Taiwan Normal University women's football coach Zhou Taiying was not prosecuted for forcing players to draw blood and violating the "Physician Act". He was also charged with fraudulently receiving test fees and embezzling team fees totaling 521,000 yuan. He was prosecuted for fraud, misappropriation and publishing false documents in the exercise of business.
Former National Taiwan Normal University women's football coach Zhou Taiying was accused of threatening players with credits for cooperating in blood drawing for research. An investigation by the Taipei District Prosecutor's Office found that although some players were afraid of having blood drawn, or felt pressured by the coach's authority and peer participation, there was not enough evidence to prove that Zhou threatened to "deduct credits if they did not cooperate." It was also determined that blood collection for research did not involve diagnosis or treatment, making it difficult to pursue prosecution under the Physician Act, and that coercion and violations of the Physician Act would not be prosecuted.
The non-indictment letter states that from 2019 to 2024, Zhou Taiying was reported to have required female football players to cooperate with the research during the winter and summer vacations on the grounds that "credits will be deducted for failure to cooperate", and blood was drawn three times a day for 14 consecutive days. Some of the blood collection was also performed by people without medical qualifications.
During the investigation, Zhou denied forcing players, arguing that no team member, captain or senior told her that she did not want to participate in the experiment, and that she had also told the players that they could leave if they did not want to participate. The blood drawing was arranged by an assistant, and she believed that it was all performed by qualified medical personnel.
The prosecutor interviewed the players and found that some of them were indeed afraid of or resisted having blood drawn. Because their seniors and other team members were participating, they believed that they should also cooperate. They may have heard that their seniors were reprimanded by their coaches for not participating, but they did not express their refusal clearly to Zhou. Other players said they participated voluntarily and regarded the experiment as part of training. They were not threatened and did not think that refusal would affect their studies.
The prosecutor believes that as a coach, Zhou Quan can also assess the players’ expertise credits, and there is a power imbalance with the students. It may be inappropriate to require the players to participate in the experiment. However, whether it constitutes bullying or violates research ethics should be investigated by the responsible authority. The crime of coercion cannot be found just because the players are under the authority of the coach or peer pressure. There is insufficient evidence in the entire case to prove that Zhou explicitly or implicitly stated that if he did not participate, he would be deducted credits or suffer other adverse consequences.
As for blood drawing by non-medical personnel, the prosecutor found that some plans involved blood collection by qualified nurses, so it is difficult to conclude that Zhou had any illegal intent. Although some players mentioned that their seniors had their blood drawn, the plan and time could not be confirmed.
The prosecutor also sent a letter to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, confirming that blood collection and data analysis for the purpose of completing research, without combining diagnosis or treatment, are not medical behaviors regulated by the "Physician Act". Even if the qualifications of the blood collectors do not meet the requirements, they cannot be directly determined to have violated the "Physician Act" based on this, so the prosecution will not be prosecuted because of insufficient suspicion.
Zhou also pleaded guilty to charges of fraudulently receiving NT$23,000 in trial fees and embezzling NT$498,000 in team fees. This part was prosecuted for embezzlement and fraud.
