Former China National Team Coach Li Tie Sentenced to 20 Years for Bribery

Li Tie, the former head coach of China's national football team and a past midfielder for Everton, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison on charges of bribery. This verdict is a pivotal moment in China's ongoing efforts to eradicate corruption from its football industry.

Investigations revealed that between 2015 and 2021, Li Tie accepted and offered bribes totaling approximately 120 million yuan (around $16.5 million). These illicit activities were linked to his roles with clubs such as Hebei China Fortune and Wuhan Zall, as well as his tenure with the national team. In exchange for these bribes, Li influenced player selections for the national squad and facilitated favorable outcomes for certain clubs.

This sentencing is part of a broader anti-corruption campaign targeting Chinese football. Earlier this year, Chen Xuyuan, the former president of the Chinese Football Association, received a life sentence for accepting bribes worth over 81 million yuan. Additionally, numerous officials have faced prison terms, and several players have been banned for life due to involvement in match-fixing.

Under President Xi Jinping's leadership, China has intensified its efforts to cleanse the sport of corruption, aiming to elevate the country's standing in international football. However, these scandals have significantly hindered progress toward these aspirations.