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.
Li, quien fue jugador de la Premier League con el Everton, admitió su culpabilidad en marzo por aceptar más de 16 millones de dólares en sobornos. Se informa que estas actividades comenzaron en 2015, cuando Li era asistente técnico en el Hebei China Fortune Club, y se extendieron hasta su renuncia como entrenador principal del equipo nacional en 2021. A cambio de los pagos ilegales, Li supuestamente influía en la selección de jugadores y ayudaba a los clubes de fútbol a asegurar victorias.
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 admission was aired earlier this year in a documentary produced by the state, during which he showed remorse for his conduct. “I am deeply sorry,” he expressed. “I should have remained grounded and adhered to the correct principles. However, at that time, I was involved in activities deemed standard in football.” His public apology highlighted the pervasive nature of corruption within the sport, which has faced similar crackdowns in the past.
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.
Li’s former superior, Chen Xuyuan, who previously served as the president of the CFA, was sentenced to life imprisonment earlier in 2024. Chen was convicted of accepting bribes totaling $11 million. His case, along with Li’s, reflects the scale of corruption among high-ranking officials tasked with overseeing China’s football development.
Rowan Simons, experto en fútbol y autor de Bamboo Goalposts
Rowan Simons, a football expert and author of Bamboo Goalposts
, 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 corruption cases have cast a shadow over Xi Jinping’s vision of elevating Chinese football to international prominence. Xi had famously outlined his “three wishes” for the sport in 2011: for China to qualify for another World Cup, eventually host the tournament, and ultimately win the championship. Despite significant investments in football infrastructure and training programs, these ambitions have been undermined by the scandals and mismanagement that continue to plague the sport.
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.
The repercussions of the corruption scandals are also being felt at the grassroots level, where efforts to promote football among younger generations have been overshadowed by negative headlines. China’s attempts to cultivate a new generation of talented footballers have been hampered by the perception of systemic dishonesty within the sport. For many aspiring players and their families, the scandals serve as a stark reminder of the obstacles facing those who hope to succeed in Chinese football.
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.