China (BERITAPOLITIK.ONLINE) — Former Chinese national football team coach and ex-Everton player, Li Tie, has admitted guilt for accepting bribes amounting to around $10 million USD (Rp158.7 billion), according to a Chinese court as reported by AFP on Thursday, March 28, 2024.
His former boss, also the chairman of the Chinese Football Association, Chen Xuyuan, was sentenced to life imprisonment earlier this week for accepting bribes worth $11 million USD (Rp174.6 billion).
Accused of both giving and receiving bribes, as well as participating in match-fixing, according to the Hubei Province court, Li received bribes totaling over Rp158.7 billion from 2017 to 2021, including during his tenure as coach of Zall club in Wuhan.
“Li Tie has pleaded guilty and expressed remorse,” stated the court, which is soon to announce Li’s sentence.
Li, who played 34 times in the Premier League from 2002 to 2004, also appeared in a documentary aired by state television CCTV in January, shedding light on rampant corruption within China’s football system.
Li confessed to bribing nearly Rp6.6 billion to secure the head coach position and participating in match-fixing while coaching clubs in the Chinese Super League.
“I deeply regret my actions. I should have chosen the right path,” said Li, who represented China in 100 matches.
The case underscores ongoing efforts to tackle corruption within the realm of Chinese football, a sport with a significant following in the nation.
