Former Everton midfielder 'sentenced to life in prison' for corruption

Chinese ex-Everton star Li Tie has reportedly been sentenced to life in prison.

The midfielder joined Everton on loan in 2002, featuring in 29 games before joining permanently on a three-year contract.

Li returned to China, concluding his career with Liaoning Whowin before becoming an assistant coach at Guangzhou Evergrande and Hebei China Fortune, eventually becoming Hebei's head coach in 2015.

After leaving the position, he faced accusations of 'accepting and offering bribes' amid a corruption investigation in Chinese football a year later.

According to 90min, Li admitted to paying £330,000 in bribes to secure the role of China's head coach.

As a result, he has been sentenced to life in prison. Additionally, CFA president Chen Xuyuan received a 15-year sentence, and Du Zhaocai, another high-ranking official, will be imprisoned for 13 years.