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Guo Rui

A Chinese anti-corruption watchdog has launched an investigation into former national men’s soccer coach and ex-Premier League player, Li Tie.
The probe comes as the Fifa World Cup games are under way in Qatar, with the Chinese national team having failed to qualify for the fifth time.
A statement posted on the website of a provincial anti-corruption body in central China on Saturday said Li was under investigation for “serious violations of the law”, but did not specify his alleged offences.
A disciplinary arm of the General Administration of Sport would also assist in the probe, the statement said.
Li, 45, quit last December amid mounting criticism of the team’s performance in their 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign, as China sought to reach the finals for the first time since their 2002 debut in Japan and South Korea.
He was replaced by Li Xiaopeng, the former head coach of Wuhan.
China marks 20 years since reaching only World Cup as wait set to go on
Li Tie, a former midfielder for Premier League side Everton, was named China’s head coach in January 2020 – two months after Italian veteran Marcello Lippi resigned following a shock World Cup qualifier defeat.
Li then led the team to three wins in a row to have them qualify for final round of the Asian qualifiers.
He had earlier coached Chinese Super League teams Hebei China Fortune and Wuhan Zall, and was Lippi’s assistant coach for Guangzhou Evergrande and the Chinese national team.

As a talented football player, Li made his mark on the sport at a young age, becoming a China youth team captain more than two decades ago, following years of training in Brazil. He was also a key player for Liaoning FC in his hometown in northeastern China.
Li’s performance was on a par with that of foreign players in the Chinese league, still a rare feat in Chinese football.
When China showed interest in sending its best players overseas to prove their talent at the world’s top leagues, Merseyside team Everton signed Li for free in 2003. He soon became a household name in Goodison Park, Everton’s home ground.




Rumours circulating on the Chinese internet about two weeks before the Qatar World Cup kicked off said Li had been taken away for investigation. He was attending professional-level coaching training organised by the Chinese Football Association at the time.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has launched sweeping corruption probes across many sectors since he came to power over a decade ago, including the government, security, education and entertainment sectors.
It is not known if more people from the sports sector will be implicated in the current probe.
China proposes military-style training in bid to revive national football team
Ten years ago, dozens of officials, coaches and referees were punished over football fraud and taking bribes, and many went to jail.
Announcement of the investigation into Li Tie has sparked fierce debate on Weibo, China’s Twitter-like platform, with some users calling for a full-scale probe into corruption in Chinese football.
Xi is a well-known fan of the game and has publicly admitted his dream for China to host and win a World Cup one day.
But in May, China said it was withdrawing as host of the Asian Cup next year, citing Covid-19 concerns.


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Corruption in China

China’s former football head coach Li Tie under investigation for ‘serious violations of the law’

Li Tie, a former midfielder for Premier League side Everton, was named China’s head coach in January 2020. Photo: Reuters

Chinese players celebrate a penalty goal during a World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia in March. Photo: Xinhua 

China head coach Li Tie says farewell to players and staff ahead of likely sacking: report

China manager Li Tie shouts instructions during their 2022 World Cup qualifying match against Australia in the UAE. Photo: Reuters

2022 World Cup: China coach Li Tie lets rip after side’s draw with Australia keeps slim qualifying hopes alive

Midfielder Xu Xin and James Jeggo of Australia tussles for the ball during the group B match of the 2022 World Cup Asian qualifiers in Sharjah, the United Arab Emirates. Photo: Xinhua

Soccer Football - World Cup - Asian Qualifiers - Third Round - Group B - China v Australia - Sharjah Stadium, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates - November 16, 2021 China coach Li Tie REUTERS/Satish Kumar

(211117) -- SHARJAH, Nov. 17, 2021 (Xinhua) -- Ai Kesen (R) of China vies with James Jeggo of Australia during a Group B match between China and Australia of 2022 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers in Sharjah, the United Arab Emirates, on Nov. 16, 2021. (Xinhua)

(211117) -- SHARJAH, Nov. 17, 2021 (Xinhua) -- Players of China celebrates during a Group B match between China and Australia of 2022 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers in Sharjah, the United Arab Emirates, on Nov. 16, 2021. (Xinhua)

Chinese coach Li Tie disappointed after 1-1 draw with Oman all but ends World Cup qualifying hopes

Luo Guofu (right) battles with Jameel Al Yahmadi of Oman during their 2022 World Cup Asian qualifiers in Sharjah. Photo: Xinhua

(211112) -- SHARJAH, Nov. 12, 2021 (Xinhua) -- Head coach Li Tie (R) of China gestures during a Group B match between China and Oman of 2022 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers in Sharjah, the United Arab Emirates, on Nov. 11, 2021. (Xinhua)

Soccer Football - World Cup - Asian Qualifiers - Group B - Australia v Saudi Arabia - Western Sydney Stadium, Sydney, Australia - November 11, 2021 Saudi Arabia's Abdulelah Almalki reacts after sustaining an injury as Salman Al-Faraj and Fahad Al Muwallad clash with Australia's Ajdin Hrustic and Jackson Irvine REUTERS/Loren Elliott

(211112) -- SHARJAH, Nov. 12, 2021 (Xinhua) -- Players of China celebrate after Wu Lei (2nd R) scored a goal during a Group B match between China and Oman of 2022 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers in Sharjah, the United Arab Emirates, on Nov. 11, 2021. (Xinhua)

Qatar 2022: China fans call for coach Li Tie to go after World Cup qualifying defeat by Saudi Arabia

China’s naturalised striker Aloisio (known as Luo Guofu in Chinese) misses a chance to equalise against Saudi Arabia in their Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022 Asian qualification match. Photo: Xinhua

(211013) -- JEDDAH, Oct. 13, 2021 (Xinhua) -- Players of China greet spectators after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Asian qualification football match between China and Saudi Arabia in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Oct. 12, 2021. (Photo by Rayan/Xinhua)

News

China

Politics

Li Tie, 45, quit as head coach last December amid mounting criticism of the team’s performance in the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers
A provincial anti-corruption body in central China announcing the probe on Saturday does not specify his alleged offences


Li Tie quit as head coach last December amid mounting criticism of the team’s performance in the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers.


Chinese Football Association (CFA)

Li Xi

China’s former football head coach Li Tie under investigation for ‘serious violations of the law’

Li Tie, 45, quit as head coach last December amid mounting criticism of the team’s performance in the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers A provincial anti-corruption body in central China announcing the probe on Saturday does not specify his alleged offences

Li Tie, 45, quit as head coach last December amid mounting criticism of the team’s performance in the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers

A provincial anti-corruption body in central China announcing the probe on Saturday does not specify his alleged offences