Li Tie, the former head coach of China's national men's football team, has been sentenced to **20 years in prison** for bribery, sending shockwaves through the sports world. The verdict, announced on Friday, marks a dramatic fall from grace for the once-celebrated coach 🌟.
Li, who led the team from 2019 to 2021, was accused of accepting bribes during player selections and match arrangements. The court described his actions as 'severely damaging the fairness of football,' with prosecutors alleging he exploited his position for personal gain 💸.
'This case reflects China's commitment to combating corruption in sports,' said a spokesperson for the Wuhan Intermediate People's Court, which delivered the ruling. The sentence includes a hefty fine of 5 million yuan ($700,000) and a lifetime ban from sports-related roles 🚫.
Fans on social media expressed mixed reactions, with one Weibo user commenting: 'This hurts, but clean football is worth fighting for.' ⚖️⚽
The ruling comes amid broader efforts to reform Chinese football, which has long struggled with scandals and underperformance on the global stage. Could this be a turning point? Stay tuned for updates.
