DOHA, Qatar: China launch their Asian Cup campaign on Saturday in the throes of a domestic anti-corruption drive that has triggered the downfall of numerous leading football figures including former coach Li Tie.
The ex-Everton midfielder permanently took over as China boss in January 2020, spearheading President Xi Jinping’s ambitions for the country to become a footballing superpower.
But four years on, that unlikely goal looks further away than ever and the 46-year-old Li is facing years in prison.
