Li Tie’s Fall from Grace: Ex-Everton Player Jailed in China for Massive Bribery
Former Everton and Chinese national football team player Li Tie has been sentenced to life imprisonment in China for corruption and match-fixing.
The investigation revealed that Li accepted over £12 million in bribes and admitted to paying bribes to secure his role as the national team coach.
He also confessed to influencing referees and fixing matches during his time as a coach with clubs like Hebei China Fortune and Wuhan Zall.
This case is part of a larger crackdown on corruption in Chinese football, which has also seen other officials, including the former head of the Chinese Football Association, face charges.
Li’s televised confession highlighted systemic issues within Chinese football and his regret for engaging in unethical practices.