China's Ex-Football Official Receives 11-Year Sentence for Corruption

A Chinese court has sentenced Li Yuyi, a former vice-chairman of the Chinese Football Association (CFA), to 11 years in prison for taking bribes.

This verdict is part of a broader crackdown on corruption within China's sports industry, particularly football, under President Xi Jinping's administration.

The court in Jingzhou, Hubei province, also fined Li $140,000 and ordered the confiscation of assets he obtained through corrupt means.

Li Yuyi was convicted of accepting bribes worth over 12 million yuan (approximately $1.7 million) between 2004 and 2021.

During this period, he held several influential positions, including head of Shanghai's sports administration and vice president of the CFA from 2015 to 2019.

The court found that Li used his various roles to favor football clubs facing relegation and secure construction projects for companies.

The anti-corruption campaign in Chinese football has been extensive, with around ten high-level CFA officials coming under investigation in recent months.

In March 2024, Chen Xuyuan, the former president of the CFA, received a life sentence for accepting bribes exceeding $11 million.

Similarly, Li Tie, the former head coach of China's national team, pleaded guilty to accepting over $10.7 million in bribes and helping to fix matches.

President Xi Jinping, a self-confessed football enthusiast, has expressed his ambition for China to host and win the World Cup.

However, repeated corruption scandals and disappointing performances on the pitch have hindered this dream. The crackdown aims to restore integrity and fair competition within the sport.

In addition to Li Yuyi, Fu Xiang, a former director of the sports administrative center in Wuhan and vice-chairman of the Wuhan Football Association, was also sentenced to 11 years for embezzlement and bribery. The court did not specify the timeframe for Fu's crimes.