Li Tie, who previously served as the coach for China’s national men’s soccer team, has received a 20-year prison sentence following his admission to various bribery offenses. State media reports that Li admitted to taking bribes, making payments to obtain his coaching role, and influencing match outcomes throughout his career. This situation represents yet another important example of corruption exposed in China’s relentless anti-corruption drive, which has reached a wide range of fields, such as sports, finance, and the armed forces.
In March, Li, who once played in the Premier League for Everton, admitted to accepting more than $16 million in bribes. It is said that these actions commenced in 2015, during his tenure as an assistant coach at the Hebei China Fortune Club, and persisted until he stepped down as head coach of the national team in 2021. In return for the illegal payments, Li is accused of affecting team lineups and assisting football clubs in achieving wins.
Li, a former Premier League player for Everton, pleaded guilty in March to taking over $16 million in bribes. These activities reportedly began in 2015, when Li served as an assistant coach at the Hebei China Fortune Club, and continued until his resignation as head coach of the national team in 2021. In exchange for the illicit payments, Li allegedly influenced team selections and aided football clubs in securing victories.
The sentencing of Li brings attention to a system entrenched in corrupt practices, with numerous prominent individuals in Chinese football under investigation as well. Earlier this week, three ex-officials from the Chinese Football Association (CFA) were found guilty on related charges. Altogether, over twelve coaches and players have been investigated as part of the extensive anti-corruption measures.
Li’s sentencing highlights a system plagued by corrupt practices, with several high-profile figures within Chinese football also facing scrutiny. Earlier this week, three former officials from the Chinese Football Association (CFA) were convicted on similar charges. In total, more than a dozen coaches and players have been investigated as part of the sweeping anti-corruption efforts.
Li’s ex-boss, Chen Xuyuan, who was once the president of the CFA, received a life sentence earlier in 2024. Chen was found guilty of taking bribes amounting to $11 million. His case, along with Li’s, illustrates the extent of corruption among senior officials responsible for managing the progress of football in China.
The campaign against corruption in football parallels a similar initiative from 2010, which led to the imprisonment of numerous officials, players, and referees for match-fixing and bribery. Xi Jinping, who was the vice president at the time, also led that effort. Nevertheless, corruption has continued, and the current crackdown is seen by analysts as a reprise of earlier efforts, though this time involving significantly larger amounts of money.
Rowan Simons, experto en fútbol y autor de Bamboo Goalposts
, compartió su visión sobre los retos que enfrenta el fútbol chino. En una entrevista con la BBC a principios de este año, comentó: “Esta campaña se asemeja notablemente a lo ocurrido hace una década, solo que con diferentes individuos y un alcance financiero mucho mayor”. Según Simons, los problemas sistémicos dentro del deporte han permitido que la corrupción prospere a pesar de los esfuerzos previos para combatirla.
, offered insight into the challenges facing Chinese football. Speaking to BBC earlier this year, he remarked, “This campaign bears a striking resemblance to what happened a decade ago, only with different individuals and a much greater financial scale.” According to Simons, systemic issues within the sport have allowed corruption to flourish despite previous efforts to address it.
Li Tie’s football career began on a high note, with the former midfielder making 92 appearances for China and playing in the country’s only World Cup appearance in 2002. His transition to coaching initially seemed promising, culminating in his appointment as head coach of the national team in 2020. However, his tenure ended in controversy when he stepped down in 2021 amid growing allegations of misconduct.
The repercussions of the latest convictions reach beyond personal penalties, prompting wider inquiries about the governance of football in China. The imprisonment and sentencing of individuals such as Li Tie and Chen Xuyuan emphasize the difficulties in eliminating corruption in a system where it has been deeply rooted for years. Detractors contend that although crackdowns address particular misconduct incidents, they fall short of addressing the foundational structures that allow corruption to continue.
Las repercusiones de los escándalos de corrupción también se están sintiendo a nivel de base, donde los esfuerzos por promover el fútbol entre las generaciones más jóvenes han sido eclipsados por titulares negativos. Los intentos de China por cultivar una nueva generación de futbolistas talentosos han sido obstaculizados por la percepción de deshonestidad sistémica dentro del deporte. Para muchos jugadores aspirantes y sus familias, los escándalos sirven como un claro recordatorio de los obstáculos que enfrentan quienes esperan triunfar en el fútbol chino.
La campaña más amplia contra la corrupción, que se extiende mucho más allá del fútbol, ha apuntado a figuras prominentes en diversas industrias. El gobierno de Xi Jinping ha presentado estos esfuerzos como esenciales para mantener la confianza pública y asegurar la integridad de las instituciones chinas. No obstante, los críticos han cuestionado si las campañas se centran tanto en consolidar el poder político como en abordar realmente la corrupción.
The broader anti-corruption campaign, which extends far beyond football, has targeted high-profile figures across various industries. Xi Jinping’s government has framed these efforts as essential to maintaining public trust and ensuring the integrity of Chinese institutions. However, critics have questioned whether the campaigns are as much about consolidating political power as they are about addressing corruption.
As Li Tie begins his 20-year prison sentence, the focus shifts to whether the recent crackdown will lead to meaningful reform within Chinese football. Observers remain skeptical, noting that similar campaigns in the past have failed to produce lasting change. For now, the sentencing of Li and other officials symbolizes both the scale of the problem and the difficulty of eradicating corruption in a sport that has long been synonymous with national aspirations and systemic challenges.