Ex-Everton player Li Tie faces prison sentence after grovelling TV confession

Former Everton star Li Tie is reportedly facing a prison sentence for corruption.

The sentence relates to Li’s short tenure as China manager which ran from 2019 until late 2021.

China’s public prosecutor accused Li of accepting and offering bribes – something he later confessed to on state broadcaster CCTV.

The ex-Toffees midfielder admitted paying £330,000 in bribes to become manager of the Chinese national team.

He also confessed to his involvement in a match-fixing scandal to help his side’s win promotion while in charge of Hebei China Fortuna and Wuhan Zall.

China sports insider Mark Dreyer reported on Friday: "Not yet officially announced, but reports coming out saying former Everton and China player Li Tie has been sentenced to LIFE in prison for his role in China's latest corruption investigation. 15 years for CFA President Chen Xuyuan and 13 years for top sports official Du Zhaocai."

An apologetic Li said in the televised statement: "I'm very sorry. I should have kept my head to the ground and followed the right path. There were certain things that at the time were common practices in football.

"By gaining 'success' through such improper means, it actually made me more and more impatient and eager for quick results.

"In order to achieve good performance, I resorted to influencing referees, bribing opposing players and coaches, sometimes through clubs dealing with other clubs.

"This behaviour becomes a habit, and eventually, there is even a slight dependence on these practices."

Li, who was regarded as China's most promising talent at the time, spent four years at Goodison Park between 2002-2006, making 33 appearances during an initial loan spell.

After impressing on Merseyside, Everton completed the permanent signing of Li but the midfielder made just seven more appearances before moving to Sheffield United.

His time at Bramall Lane did not go to plan and featured just once for the Blades before moving back to his homeland with Chengdu Blades and later Liaoning Whowin.

Li retired in 2011 before venturing into management with Hebei China Fortune four-years later, winning promotion during his only season in charge.

He went on to manage Wuhan Zall before the ill-fated spell as China boss.