Match-fixing led to stars' downfall
By Ni Yinbin |
June 14, 2012, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
FOUR former Chinese soccer stars were jailed yesterday by a court in the northeastern city of Shenyang for their part in the country's biggest soccer scandal.
Former midfielders Shen Si and Qi Hong, defender Li Ming and goalkeeper Jiang Jin were found to have fixed the final match of the 2002/03 Jia-A League, predecessor of the current Super League.
Shen was jailed for six years while Qi, Jiang and Li each received five-and-half year sentences. Each was fined 500,000 yuan (US$78,481) and all illegal gains were confiscated.
Qi and Jiang were key players in the Chinese national side which qualified for the 2002 World Cup finals. The pair, along with former national teammates Shen and Li, took a total of at least 8 million yuan in bribes after their club, Shanghai International, lost to Tianjin Teda.
The result meant that Tianjin avoided relegation and also dashed International's championship hopes as they were just one point behind derby rival Shanghai Shenhua at the time. Shenhua went on to win the league.
Shen's lawyer said the fines were excessive. "They're not as rich as you would expect and the penalty is hardly affordable," he said.
Shen, Jiang and Li told the court they needed to consult with their lawyers before deciding whether to appeal.
Qi told the court he accepted the judgment.
Former midfielders Shen Si and Qi Hong, defender Li Ming and goalkeeper Jiang Jin were found to have fixed the final match of the 2002/03 Jia-A League, predecessor of the current Super League.
Shen was jailed for six years while Qi, Jiang and Li each received five-and-half year sentences. Each was fined 500,000 yuan (US$78,481) and all illegal gains were confiscated.
Qi and Jiang were key players in the Chinese national side which qualified for the 2002 World Cup finals. The pair, along with former national teammates Shen and Li, took a total of at least 8 million yuan in bribes after their club, Shanghai International, lost to Tianjin Teda.
The result meant that Tianjin avoided relegation and also dashed International's championship hopes as they were just one point behind derby rival Shanghai Shenhua at the time. Shenhua went on to win the league.
Shen's lawyer said the fines were excessive. "They're not as rich as you would expect and the penalty is hardly affordable," he said.
Shen, Jiang and Li told the court they needed to consult with their lawyers before deciding whether to appeal.
Qi told the court he accepted the judgment.
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