Former Premier League and Chinese national team footballer Li Tie has lost his appeal against a 20-year prison sentence for bribery. The Hubei Provincial Higher People’s Court upheld the original ruling delivered in December, confirming Li’s conviction on multiple counts of giving and receiving bribes. Once a respected figure in Chinese football, Li’s fall from grace reflects the ongoing crackdown on corruption in the country’s sports sector.
Li Tie, who played for Everton in the English Premier League and earned nearly 100 caps for China, transitioned to coaching after his retirement. He served as the head coach of the national team from January 2020 to December 2021. His involvement in bribery came to light as part of a broader investigation into misconduct within Chinese football circles, which has led to several high-profile arrests and convictions.
The case is part of a wider anti-corruption campaign led by President Xi Jinping, which began over a decade ago and has since expanded into various industries, including sports. Authorities launched a focused effort in 2022 to root out corruption in football, targeting coaches, players, and administrators. Li’s sentencing underscores the Chinese government’s commitment to enforcing transparency and accountability across all sectors.
