Once a prominent figure in Chinese football, Li Tie was sentenced to 20 years for his involvement in over 100 million yuan of illegal assets. He appeared calm and retained the opportunity to appeal. This verdict sparked widespread discussion, with some questioning the disparity in sentencing compared to Chen Xuyuan, who received life imprisonment for a lesser amount. As Li Tie's case unfolded, it exposed a web of corruption, from being persuaded to participate in match-fixing to implicating intermediaries like Liu Yi and even leading to the downfall of Gou Zhongwen.
The revelation that Li Tie's misdeeds began before he became the national team coach has shaken the football community. Fans are disheartened by the extent of underhanded dealings within the sport. The involvement of high-ranking officials like Gou Zhongwen, who was caught up in shady operations related to major events like the Asian Cup hosting rights and the Winter Olympics, further eroded public trust.
Despite the turmoil, Gao Hongbo, a former vice-chairman of the Football Association, remained untainted. He expressed regret over the events but also optimism that the industry would improve following this scandal. This could be a fresh start for the national team, with hopes that Chinese football will clean house and return to its pure sporting roots.
Online discussions reflect mixed opinions. Some believe Li Tie's sentence is too lenient and should be increased to deter others, while others argue that his cooperation in exposing deeper corruption merits consideration in sentencing. Regardless, there is a collective wish for Chinese football to seize this opportunity to reform and restore its integrity.
