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Former Chinese Soccer Star Li Tie Sentenced to 20 Years for Corruption Scandal. Chinese soccer icon Li Tie, a former Premier League player for Everton, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for bribery and match-fixing, state media reported. The 47-year-old, who once played alongside Wayne Rooney, is the most high-profile figure to fall in China's sweeping anti-corruption crackdown in professional soccer. Li was convicted of accepting over $6.8 million in bribes between 2019 and 2021, during his tenure as head coach of China’s national men’s soccer team. Prosecutors revealed Li facilitated player selections and match outcomes in exchange for bribes, including orchestrating payments to secure his role as head coach. In a televised documentary prior to his trial, Li expressed regret, admitting to using shortcuts like match-fixing to achieve quick success as a coach. Li’s downfall follows that of Chen Xuyuan, former head of China's soccer association, who was sentenced to life imprisonment for corruption in March. China’s anti-graft agency launched the investigation in 2022 after the national team’s poor performance in FIFA World Cup qualifiers sparked widespread disappointment. A former soccer hero, Li was one of the first Chinese players in the Premier League, gaining national acclaim for his appearances at Everton and the 2002 World Cup. Li’s coaching tenure, which began with hope in 2020, ended in 2022 amid fan backlash over China’s failure to qualify for the Qatar World Cup. This case underscores the depth of corruption in Chinese soccer, with authorities intensifying efforts to rebuild trust and accountability within the sport.
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