Ex-Everton star and Rooney teammate jailed for 20 Years

Former Everton midfielder and China national team coach Li Tie has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for corruption.

The 40-year-old played alongside Rooney at Everton in the 2002/2003 season.

According to Reuters, a court in Hubei province in China handed down the verdict. The court found Li guilty of accepting bribes totalling 120 million Yuan ($16.5 million) in exchange for various favours, including team selection and match-fixing.

The investigation into Li's corrupt activities began in November 2022 and concluded with his guilty plea in March 2023. The case highlights the deep-rooted corruption within Chinese football, which has plagued the sport for decades.

Li's conviction adds to a growing list of high-profile individuals who have been implicated in corruption scandals in Chinese football. In recent years, numerous officials and players have been sentenced to prison terms for their involvement in match-fixing and bribery.

The Chinese government has been actively working to clean up the sport and restore its reputation.

However, the persistent scandals have hindered the country's ambition to become a football powerhouse.

President Xi Jinping's vision of China qualifying for and eventually winning the World Cup has been hampered by corruption and mismanagement.

The crackdown on corruption is a step towards addressing these issues and rebuilding the credibility of Chinese football.

The sentencing of Li Tie serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of corruption in sports.