Li Tie Sentenced in China's Sports Corruption Crackdown

Li Tie, a former Premier League footballer and coach of the Chinese national team, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for bribery as part of China's crackdown on corruption in sports. Li admitted to accepting bribes totaling over $16 million between 2015 and 2021, using his positions to favor certain players and fix matches, and even offering bribes to secure his role as national team coach. This case is part of a broader anti-corruption campaign led by President Xi Jinping, which has led to multiple convictions, including life imprisonment for former Chinese Football Association chief Chen Xuyuan. Over 38 players and several officials have been banned for life as part of this crackdown. The Chinese government has intensified efforts against graft in football since 2022, reflecting Xi's ambitions to transform China into a major football power, although the national team's performance remains underwhelming. This widespread corruption scandal has been highlighted in a documentary aired by state broadcaster CCTV, where Li expressed remorse for his actions.