Anti-Corruption Crackdown Rocks Chinese Football as Former National Football Coach and Officials Face Jail Terms
The former head football coach of China’s national men’s team, Li Tie, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for bribery, Chinese state media reports.
Li, a former Everton midfielder, admitted earlier this year to fixing matches, accepting bribes, and offering payments to secure the top coaching role. His case underscores the reach of President Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption crackdown, which has targeted sectors including sports, banking, and the military.
High-Profile Convictions Shake Chinese Football
Li served as the national team’s head coach from January 2020 to December 2021 and pleaded guilty in March to receiving over $10 million in bribes. The 47-year-old appeared in a state-run anti-corruption documentary earlier this year, where he publicly apologized.
“I’m very sorry. I should have stayed grounded and followed the right path,”
Li said in the broadcast. He also admitted that certain unethical practices were once common in Chinese football.
Wider Fallout for Chinese Football Officials
Li’s sentencing comes days after three former Chinese Football Association (CFA) officials were also jailed for bribery, and over a dozen coaches and players have faced investigations.
Earlier this year, former CFA president Chen Xuyuan, Li’s former boss, was sentenced to life imprisonment for accepting $11 million in bribes.
Xi Jinping’s Football Dream Hits a Wall
President Xi has long championed the dream of transforming China into a global football powerhouse. In 2011, he outlined his “three wishes” for Chinese football:
- To qualify for the World Cup.
- Host the tournament.
- Win the coveted trophy.
However, the recent scandals involving key football figures have delivered a major blow to these ambitions, casting a shadow over the country’s vision for football excellence.
Li, who earned 92 caps for China and played in the 2002 World Cup, now faces a tarnished legacy and a lengthy prison term.
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