by Li Tie, exentrenador del equipo de fútbol masculino de China, ha recibido una condena de 20 años de cárcel tras admitir múltiples cargos de soborno. Según medios estatales, Li confesó haber aceptado sobornos, realizar pagos para asegurar su puesto como entrenador y manipular partidos a lo largo de su carrera. Este caso representa otro ejemplo importante de corrupción revelado en la campaña continua de China contra el fraude, que se ha extendido a diversos sectores como el deporte, la banca y el ejército.
Li, quien fue jugador de la Premier League con el Everton, admitió su culpabilidad en marzo por aceptar más de 16 millones de dólares en sobornos. Se informa que estas actividades comenzaron en 2015, cuando Li era asistente técnico en el Hebei China Fortune Club, y se extendieron hasta su renuncia como entrenador principal del equipo nacional en 2021. A cambio de los pagos ilegales, Li supuestamente influía en la selección de jugadores y ayudaba a los clubes de fútbol a asegurar victorias.
La caída de este hombre de 47 años es parte de una campaña más amplia contra la corrupción dirigida por el presidente Xi Jinping. Xi ha dado prioridad a la erradicación de la corrupción en el fútbol chino, un deporte que durante mucho tiempo ha imaginado como una fuente potencial de orgullo nacional. No obstante, las recientes revelaciones de mala conducta generalizada han afectado las aspiraciones de China de convertirse en una potencia mundial del fútbol.
The sentencing of Li brings attention to a system entrenched in corrupt practices, with numerous prominent individuals in Chinese football under investigation as well. Earlier this week, three ex-officials from the Chinese Football Association (CFA) were found guilty on related charges. Altogether, over twelve coaches and players have been investigated as part of the extensive anti-corruption measures.
Li’s admission was aired earlier this year in a documentary produced by the state, during which he showed remorse for his conduct. “I am deeply sorry,” he expressed. “I should have remained grounded and adhered to the correct principles. However, at that time, I was involved in activities deemed standard in football.” His public apology highlighted the pervasive nature of corruption within the sport, which has faced similar crackdowns in the past.
Li’s confession was broadcast earlier this year in a state-produced documentary, where he expressed regret for his actions. “I am deeply sorry,” he said. “I should have stayed grounded and followed the right path. But at the time, I was participating in practices that were considered normal in football.” His public apology underscored the systemic nature of corruption within the sport, which has previously been subjected to similar crackdowns.
Li’s former superior, Chen Xuyuan, who previously served as the president of the CFA, was sentenced to life imprisonment earlier in 2024. Chen was convicted of accepting bribes totaling $11 million. His case, along with Li’s, reflects the scale of corruption among high-ranking officials tasked with overseeing China’s football development.
The crackdown on football corruption echoes a similar campaign in 2010, during which several officials, players, and referees were imprisoned for match-fixing and bribery. Xi Jinping, then serving as vice president, spearheaded that effort as well. However, despite the crackdown, corruption has persisted, with the current campaign described by observers as a repeat of past efforts, albeit involving larger sums of money.
Rowan Simons, a football expert and author of Bamboo Goalposts
, offered insight into the challenges facing Chinese football. Speaking to BBC earlier this year, he remarked, “This campaign bears a striking resemblance to what happened a decade ago, only with different individuals and a much greater financial scale.” According to Simons, systemic issues within the sport have allowed corruption to flourish despite previous efforts to address it.
Los casos de corrupción han oscurecido la visión de Xi Jinping de llevar al fútbol chino a un nivel internacional destacado. Xi delineó sus “tres deseos” para el deporte en 2011: que China se clasifique para otra Copa del Mundo, que eventualmente sea sede del torneo y que finalmente gane el campeonato. A pesar de las importantes inversiones en infraestructura futbolística y programas de entrenamiento, estas ambiciones han sido socavadas por los escándalos y la mala gestión que siguen afectando al deporte.
The corruption cases have cast a shadow over Xi Jinping’s vision of elevating Chinese football to international prominence. Xi had famously outlined his “three wishes” for the sport in 2011: for China to qualify for another World Cup, eventually host the tournament, and ultimately win the championship. Despite significant investments in football infrastructure and training programs, these ambitions have been undermined by the scandals and mismanagement that continue to plague the sport.
Las repercusiones de los escándalos de corrupción también se están sintiendo a nivel de base, donde los esfuerzos por promover el fútbol entre las generaciones más jóvenes han sido eclipsados por titulares negativos. Los intentos de China por cultivar una nueva generación de futbolistas talentosos han sido obstaculizados por la percepción de deshonestidad sistémica dentro del deporte. Para muchos jugadores aspirantes y sus familias, los escándalos sirven como un claro recordatorio de los obstáculos que enfrentan quienes esperan triunfar en el fútbol chino.
The repercussions of the corruption scandals are also being felt at the grassroots level, where efforts to promote football among younger generations have been overshadowed by negative headlines. China’s attempts to cultivate a new generation of talented footballers have been hampered by the perception of systemic dishonesty within the sport. For many aspiring players and their families, the scandals serve as a stark reminder of the obstacles facing those who hope to succeed in Chinese football.
The broader anti-corruption campaign, which extends far beyond football, has targeted high-profile figures across various industries. Xi Jinping’s government has framed these efforts as essential to maintaining public trust and ensuring the integrity of Chinese institutions. However, critics have questioned whether the campaigns are as much about consolidating political power as they are about addressing corruption.
As Li Tie begins his 20-year prison sentence, the focus shifts to whether the recent crackdown will lead to meaningful reform within Chinese football. Observers remain skeptical, noting that similar campaigns in the past have failed to produce lasting change. For now, the sentencing of Li and other officials symbolizes both the scale of the problem and the difficulty of eradicating corruption in a sport that has long been synonymous with national aspirations and systemic challenges.
