Former Chinese Football Coach Sentenced to 20 Years for Corruption Conspiracy

The ex-coach of the Chinese national football team, Li Tie, has received a 20-year prison sentence for his involvement in a major bribery scandal, reflecting the ongoing anti-corruption campaign in the country that has also affected other high-profile sports figures.

Former Chinese national men's football coach, Li Tie, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in a vast bribery scandal that shook the sport to its core. This significant ruling underscores the serious implications of President Xi Jinping's long-standing anti-corruption campaign, which has extended into various sectors, including sports, finance, and military.

Li, who once graced the fields of Everton in the English Premier League, confessed earlier this year to engaging in match-fixing, accepting bribes, and offering illegal payments during his tenure. Reports reveal that Li pleaded guilty in March to allegations of taking over $16 million in bribes, with the fraudulent activities spanning from his time as an assistant coach at the Hebei China Fortune Club in 2015 until his resignation as national team coach in December 2021.

In return for the bribes, Li would select specific players for the national team and assist football clubs in winning pivotal competitions. The recent verdict is part of a broader crackdown on corruption in Chinese football, as earlier this week, a trio of officials from the Chinese Football Association (CFA) received prison sentences for similar offenses. Investigations have also opened up against numerous coaches and players linked to the scandal.

Li, who had 92 caps for the national team and played in the 2002 World Cup—the country’s only appearance in the finals—was featured in a state broadcaster's anti-corruption documentary earlier this year, where he expressed deep remorse for his actions. "I'm very sorry. I should have kept my head down and followed the right path," he confessed, attributing his misdeeds to prevalent practices in football at the time.

This intense wave of scrutiny comes as Xi aims to reshape China into a formidable football power. In 2011, he articulated three ambitious goals for Chinese football: to qualify for the World Cup, to host the tournament, and to eventually win the esteemed trophy. However, the recent wave of arrests and convictions presents yet another setback to these aspirations.

The current anti-corruption movement mirrors a similar crackdown in 2010 under Xi's vice-presidency, which saw multiple officials, players, and referees jailed for corruption. Rowan Simons, author of 'Bamboo Goalposts,' observed that while the motives and techniques remain consistent, the influx of money in the sport has significantly increased.

As China's football community reflects on these events, the ongoing governance challenges raise critical questions about the future of the sport in this rapidly evolving national landscape.