Former Everton Player Li Tie Sentenced to 20 Years for Match-Fixing

Former Chinese footballer and ex-Premier League player for Everton, Li Tie, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for his involvement in bribery and match-fixing.

The sentencing follows Li’s guilty plea in March, where he admitted to accepting over $16 million (AUD 24.5 million) in bribes. He also confessed to giving bribes and influencing player selections during his coaching tenure.

The offences were committed during his time as an assistant coach at Hebei China Fortune Club, a Chinese Super League team that ceased operations in 2023. Li held positions at the club between 2015 and 2021, the same year he stepped down as head coach of China’s national football team.

Court findings indicate that Li manipulated player selections for the national squad and facilitated match outcomes for certain clubs.

Li Tie enjoyed a prominent football career with 92 caps for China and played in the 2002 FIFA World Cup. He joined Everton on loan in 2002 before signing permanently in 2003, making 40 appearances for the club. Li also played briefly for Sheffield United before returning to China to finish his playing career.

This case highlights ongoing efforts to tackle corruption within Chinese football, which has seen increased scrutiny in recent years.