Chinese Football Official Receives 11-Year Prison Sentence for Corruption

A Chinese court has sentenced Li Yuyi, the former vice president of the Chinese Football Association, to 11 years in prison for accepting bribes and gifts in exchange for favors. The court also imposed a 1 million yuan fine on Li for his corrupt practices spanning from 2004 to 2021.

Li was found guilty of leveraging his positions in both the Chinese Football Association and the Chinese Football Association Super League Company to acquire money and valuables exceeding $1.69 million through unethical means. He admitted his guilt and remorse during the trial earlier this year.

These legal actions against Li and other high-ranking soccer officials in China are part of a wider crackdown on corruption initiated by President Xi Jinping’s administration. This ongoing effort aims to root out corruption within the Communist Party of China.

Since 2022, several top soccer officials have been investigated and prosecuted for involvement in bribery schemes. This case adds to a series of convictions targeting corruption in the realm of Chinese football governance.