Li Tie’s Prison Sentence Confirmed as China Targets Football Corruption.
Li Tie, once a standout name in Chinese football and a former Premier League player, has officially lost his appeal against a 20 year prison sentence tied to bribery charges. The announcement came from a high court in Hubei Province on Wednesday, April 30.
The court confirmed its decision to reject the appeal, standing by the original sentence handed down in December. Li, now 47, was found guilty on several counts of both giving and accepting bribes. His case has become one of the most prominent in China’s ongoing push to root out corruption in sports.
Years ago, Li was celebrated across the nation. He represented China nearly 100 times and gained international attention in 2002 when he signed with Everton in the English Premier League. After stepping off the pitch, he moved into management and took charge of the Chinese national team from January 2020 to December 2021.
But the same sport that built his name became the setting for his fall. Since 2022, Chinese authorities have launched a determined crackdown on corruption in football. That campaign has pulled in players, coaches, and senior officials. Li became one of the biggest names caught in the sweep.
The government’s message is clear. Backed strongly by President Xi Jinping, the anti-corruption drive is showing no signs of slowing. Li’s downfall is more than a personal tragedy — it’s a warning. No figure, no matter how celebrated, is above the law.
