The sentencing of Li Tie for corruption reflects the far-reaching impact of President Xi Jinping's anti-corruption campaign in various sectors, including sports. The case reveals ongoing challenges in achieving China's football aspirations, further complicated by systemic issues within the sport.
Former Chinese National Football Coach Sentenced for Bribery Amidst Nationwide Crackdown
Former Chinese National Football Coach Sentenced for Bribery Amidst Nationwide Crackdown
Li Tie, the ex-coach of China's national football team, receives a 20-year prison sentence for bribery, highlighting the extensive anti-corruption efforts in Chinese sports.
Li Tie, the former head coach of the Chinese national men's football team, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for his involvement in bribery and match-fixing, according to state media reports. Li, who previously played for Everton in the English Premier League, confessed earlier this year to accepting bribes and fixing matches, seeking illicit favor in securing his top coaching position.
Following his pleas of guilt, Li admitted to accepting over $16 million in bribes while serving as the national team's head coach from January 2020 until December 2021. His infractions reportedly spanned several years, beginning in 2015 when he was an assistant coach at Hebei China Fortune Club. The court highlighted that in exchange for these financial incentives, he selected certain players for the national team and assisted football clubs in winning competitions.
In a televised anti-corruption documentary produced by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, Li expressed deep regret for his actions, stating, "I'm very sorry. I should have kept my head to the ground and followed the right path." He acknowledged that similar corrupt practices had become normalized within the football industry.
Li’s conviction is part of a broader indicative crackdown on corruption within Chinese football. Earlier this week, three former officials of the Chinese Football Association (CFA) were sentenced for similar offenses, and numerous coaches and players are currently under investigation.
Li Tie's former superior, Chen Xuyuan, who once presided over the CFA, was sentenced to life imprisonment for accepting around $11 million in bribes. This reflects the extensive measures being taken under President Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption campaign – a policy that has impacted sport, banking, and the military sectors alike.
Xi has previously articulated ambitions for China to rise as a formidable player in the world of football, expressing hopes to qualify for future World Cups, to host them, and ultimately to win the prestigious tournament. However, the ongoing turmoil caused by recent corruption-related detentions has posed significant obstacles to the nation's football aspirations.
Historically, this current anti-corruption effort has invoked memories of a similar crackdown in 2010, which saw the detention of various officials, players, and referees involved in corruption. Rowan Simons, author of "Bamboo Goalposts," noted to BBC Chinese that the current campaign bears striking similarities to the earlier crackdown, albeit with significantly more money at stake.
As China grapples with deep-seated issues within its football infrastructure, the clarity of its ambitions in this global sport remains increasingly challenging.
