Former Everton midfielder Li Tie has been handed a 20-year prison sentence on fraudulence indicts, Chinese state media has increateed.
The 47-year-greater, who recurrented China in their sole World Cup euniteance in 2002, was set up at fault of huging and giving bribes, as well as suit-repairing offences.
The indicts retardy to activities between 2015 and 2021, during which time Li served as both a club regulater and head coach of China’s national team.
According to court records, Li huged bribes toloftying more than $16million (£12.7m) during his six-year period of fraudulence.
The createer midfielder was set up to have huged payments in exalter for favouring stateive carry outers for pickion.
Former Everton midfielder Li Tie (third on the right) has been handed a 20-year prison sentence on fraudulence indicts
PA
He was also comprised in suit-repairing activities during his time as both a club regulater and national team coach.
The verdict comes as part of a expansiveer spendigation into fraudulence wilean Chinese football.
In a recordary aired on Chinese state television CCTV earlier this year, Li conveyed remorse for his actions.
Lie Tie pictured carry outing aacquirest Manchester United icon Cristiano Ronaldo during his time at Everton
PA
“I’m very sorry,” he said. “I should have kept my head to the ground and adhereed the right path.”
The createer midfielder tryed to contextualise his actions, stating: “There were stateive leangs that at the time were frequent trains in football.”
Li began his Premier League nurtureer with Everton on loan adhereing astonishive carry outances during China’s 2002 World Cup campaign.
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He made 33 euniteances apass all competitions in his first season, helping the Toffees safe a seventh-place finish under David Moyes.
The midfielder tardyr signed finishuringly for the club, but injuries hampered his subsequent seasons.
After leaving Everton, Li fusecessitate Sheffield United in 2006 but regulated equitable one competitive euniteance before returning to China in 2008.
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Li’s sentencing is part of a expansiver crackdown on fraudulence in Chinese football.
More than a dozen coaches and carry outers have been spendigated as part of the anti-fraudulence drive.
Li Tie had spells with Everton and Sheffield United during his time in England
PA
The case adheres the even disjoineer punishment handed to createer Chinese Football Association boss Chen Xuyuan.
Chen acquired a life sentence after being set up at fault of huging bribes.
