A 600 Million Bribe to Become National Soccer Team Coach... Massive Scandal Erupts in China

Former Coach Rite Exposed for Corruption
Bribery and Match-Fixing Revealed

Former head coach of the China national football team has sparked controversy after it was revealed that he gave astronomical bribes to high-ranking figures in the local football community to secure his position.

On the 10th, 'Yonhap News' cited content from the four-part anti-corruption documentary 'Continuous Efforts and In-depth Promotion,' jointly produced by China Central Television (CCTV) and others, reporting on the bribery case involving former coach Li Te.

Li, a midfielder for the Chinese national team during the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup, took on the role of national team coach in 2020 amid high expectations from Chinese football fans, stepping down in December of the following year. However, less than a year after resigning, in November 2022, he was arrested by investigative authorities on charges of illegal conduct.

Former China National Football Team Coach Li Tie Photo by CCTV

According to the investigation details revealed through the broadcast, during his tenure as head coach of Wuhan Zall in the Chinese Super League, Li promised that if he became a 'higher-up,' he would assist the club. The club then delivered a bribe of 2 million yuan (approximately 360 million KRW) to then Football Association chairman Tian Xuyuan. Li himself was found to have prepared 1 million yuan (approximately 180 million KRW) and handed it to then Football Association secretary-general Liu Yi. Additionally, four players from Wuhan Zall were selected for the national team. The broadcast reported that even the club owner of Wuhan Zall considered these players to be of poor skill.

Previously, Li had led Huaxia Xingfu from 6th place in the league to championship victory with eight consecutive wins. Authorities revealed that Li bribed rival team coaches and others with large sums of money to manipulate match outcomes. In the broadcast, Li expressed remorse, saying, "When I was on the football field, many things were taken for granted, but looking back now, everything was illegal and criminal." He added, "I deeply regret it now and will walk a sincere and righteous path."

Meanwhile, it was reported that players of the China national football team collectively watched the documentary in Doha, Qatar, on the same day.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.