Appeal rejected
Ex-football players have to be detained for 20 years
02.05.2025 – 11:31 a.m.Reading time: 1 min.
The former national coach China took millions of bribery – and now has to stand for it.
Li tie has to go to prison for 20 years. The former international and coach of the Chinese national soccer team failed with his calling. The Supreme Court of the province of Hubei confirmed the original judgment on Wednesday, which had been issued at the end of last year.
The 46-year-old was convicted of bribery in December last year. He was charged to have accepted lubrication money of more than 110 million Yuan – the equivalent of around 13.35 million euros – between 2015 and 2021. In a trial in March 2023, he had granted the allegations.
The judgment against Li tie is one of the sharpest in the course of a nationwide campaign against corruption in Chinese sport. The former midfielder of Premier League club Everton was part of the Chinese development at the 2002 World Cup. After the end of his active career, he worked as a trainer, including for the national team.
Ten days after the verdict on December 13, Li Tie had appealed. This has now been rejected. Chinese state media unanimously reported on the decision of the court in Hubei.