Appeal of former Chinese national football coach fails, 20-year sentence upheld

(ECNS) -- The Hubei Provincial People's High Court announced Wednesday it had dismissed the appeal of Li Tie, former head coach of China's National Men's Football Team, and upheld his original 20-year prison sentence.

The former coach had been charged with multiple offenses, including bribery-related crimes.

Li appealed to a higher court after being sentenced to imprisonment in the first verdict.

The 48-year-old, a native of Shenyang, Liaoning province, was a former professional soccer player who transitioned to coaching after retiring in 2012.

He has received widespread public attention since late 2022 when he was placed under investigation for suspected serious violations of the law.

(By Mo Honge)