Beijing, China – Li Tie, the former head coach of China’s national men’s football team and a prominent figure in Chinese sports, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for bribery, according to state media reports. His case has become a focal point of President Xi Jinping’s intensified anti-corruption campaign, which has targeted various sectors including sports, banking, and the military.
Li, 47, was convicted of fixing matches, accepting over $16 million in bribes, and offering bribes to secure coaching positions. His offenses spanned from 2015, during his tenure as an assistant coach at Hebei China Fortune Club, to his role as national team head coach from January 2020 to December 2021.
A Tarnished Legacy
Once celebrated as a trailblazer for Chinese football, Li represented his country 92 times, including during China’s sole World Cup appearance in 2002. He also played in the English Premier League for Everton. However, his downfall highlights a darker side of the sport in China.
In a televised apology aired earlier this year, Li expressed regret for his actions. “I should have kept my head down and followed the right path,” he admitted, describing some practices in football as “common” during his career.
Broader Scandal in Chinese Football
Li’s conviction is part of a broader crackdown on corruption within the Chinese Football Association (CFA). Earlier this week, three former CFA officials were sentenced to prison for bribery. Chen Xuyuan, the former CFA president, was sentenced to life imprisonment earlier this year for accepting $11 million in bribes. In total, over a dozen coaches and players are under investigation.
In exchange for bribes, Li reportedly influenced national team selections and club victories, tarnishing the integrity of the sport. His actions, along with those of other officials, have derailed China’s ambitions to become a global football powerhouse.
Xi Jinping’s Football Vision Undermined
President Xi has long championed football as a key element of China’s international sporting ambitions. He articulated his “three wishes” for Chinese football in 2011: to qualify for the World Cup again, host the tournament, and eventually win the trophy. However, the corruption scandals have dealt a severe blow to these goals.
The current anti-corruption drive echoes a similar campaign a decade ago, which also saw players, referees, and officials jailed. Despite significant investments in football infrastructure and talent development, systemic corruption has repeatedly hindered progress.
Commentary from Experts
Rowan Simons, author of Bamboo Goalposts, which chronicles grassroots football development in China, remarked on the cyclical nature of these scandals. “In many ways, [the current campaign] looks exactly the same as it was 10 years ago with a different set of characters,” he told the BBC. “The difference now is the sheer amount of money involved.”
A Cautionary Tale
Li Tie’s conviction serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing Chinese football. While the nation aspires to rise on the global stage, cleaning up the sport’s governance will be critical to achieving these ambitions. For now, the sentence marks a turning point in a story that intertwines corruption, ambition, and the love of the beautiful game.
