To Youth: World Cup Midfielder, Former National Team Coach Li Tie Sentenced to 20 Years
On December 13, 2024, the Intermediate People's Court of Xianning City, Hubei Province publicly sentenced former head coach of the Chinese national men's football team, Li Tie, to 20 years in prison for multiple crimes including bribery, offering bribes, and bribery involving non-state personnel. The following are the specific criminal facts:
Bribery: From 2019 to 2021, Li Tie took advantage of his position as head coach of the Chinese national men's football selection team and the national team, using the convenience of his authority and status to assist relevant units and individuals in matters such as player selection for the national team, winning matches, and signing contracts with clubs, illegally accepting a total of over 50.89 million yuan from others.
Offering Bribes: In 2019, Li Tie solicited help from others to be elected as the head coach of the men's national football team and subsequently gave 1 million yuan to others in 2020.
Corporate Bribery: In 2019, during his tenure at Wuhan Zall Professional Football Club Co., Ltd., Li Tie conspired with the club’s leaders to solicit assistance to secure his election as the head coach of the men's national selection team and to enhance the influence of Zall Club, which resulted in the club giving 2 million yuan to others.
Bribery Involving Non-State Personnel: From 2017 to 2019, Li Tie, while serving as general manager and head coach of Zall Club, used his position to assist Hebei Huaxia Xingfu Football Club Co., Ltd. in player transfers and winning matches, receiving a total of 26.75 million yuan from Huaxia Club.
Offering Bribes to Non-State Personnel: From 2015 to 2019, during his tenure at Huaxia Club and Zall Club, Li Tie conspired with club leaders to solicit cooperation or passive play from other football clubs in order to win matches or achieve favorable results, with Huaxia Club and Zall Club giving a total of over 39.05 million yuan to relevant personnel.
More than twenty years have passed since that World Cup; youth is a long journey that cannot be returned to; youth is a meeting that cannot be forgotten; youth is a pain that comes too late.
