Former head coach of China’s national soccer team Li Tie under investigation for “serious violation of law”

Li Tie, a former head coach of China’s national soccer team and ex-Premier League player, is under investigation, said the anti-graft authority of Hubei province on Saturday.

“Li Tie is suspected of seriously violating the law,” the anti-graft body said in a one-line statement on its website, without specifying the violation.

The 45-year-old former Everton midfielder had quit the national team last December amid growing criticism of his team’s performances in the 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign. Chinese national team failed to qualify for the fifth time at the Qatar World Cup.