Chinese authorities have handed former Premier League player and national team coach Li Tie a 20-year prison sentence for bribery and match-fixing. The verdict was delivered Friday by a court in Wuhan, according to state media reports.

This sentencing comes amid China's broader crackdown on corruption in soccer, with the Football Association recently imposing lifetime bans on 43 players and officials following extensive investigations into match-fixing and corruption.

The severity of Li's punishment reflects the government's determination to clean up the sport. Li, who played for Everton in the English Premier League and later coached China's national team, was found guilty of accepting bribes and manipulating match outcomes.

This case is part of a larger pattern of match-fixing investigations in soccer globally:

• German authorities are currently investigating match-fixing allegations in lower leagues, with evidence reportedly being sold on the dark web
• Three Australian A-League players were recently arrested for allegedly fixing matches for a South American crime syndicate
• Italian soccer has faced its own scrutiny with players Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Fagioli receiving bans for gambling violations

The sport continues to grapple with integrity issues, as demonstrated by recent investigations into spot-fixing allegations against West Ham player Lucas Paqueta and controversial referee appointments in major tournaments.

These ongoing cases highlight the persistent challenge of maintaining integrity in professional soccer, especially as sports betting becomes increasingly accessible and popular worldwide.

Financial impact extends beyond criminal penalties, with players like Fagioli admitting to €3 million in illegal gambling activity and Tonali facing suspension at Newcastle United after reaching a plea agreement in his betting scandal case.

The authorities' firm stance against corruption demonstrates the soccer world's commitment to preserving the sport's integrity, though challenges clearly remain in preventing and detecting match-fixing and illegal betting activities.

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