China sentenced former English Premier League player and national team coach Li Tie to 20 years in prison for bribery and match-fixing, according to Chinese state media. The court in Wuhan delivered the verdict on Friday.

This sentencing comes amid China's broader crackdown on corruption in soccer, with the Football Association banning 43 players and officials for life. The investigation has implicated over 60 individuals in corruption and gambling-related offenses.

In Europe, German authorities are investigating match-fixing allegations in lower leagues after reports emerged of fixing information being sold on the dark web. Meanwhile, controversy surrounds West Ham player Lucas Paqueta, who faces spot-fixing charges that could impact his potential £90M transfer to Manchester City.

At the international level, three Australian A-League players were arrested for allegedly fixing matches for a South American crime syndicate. The investigation focuses on manipulated game outcomes for betting purposes.

Notable developments in soccer gambling include:

• Newcastle's Sandro Tonali received a suspension following a betting scandal plea
• Juventus player Nicolo Fagioli got a seven-month ban for €3M illegal gambling
• Italy's national team coach acknowledged the "trauma" of the gambling scandal before their England match

The sport continues to grapple with integrity issues as authorities worldwide intensify efforts to combat match-fixing and illegal betting activities. Recent arrests in Thailand during Euro 2024 betting operations and ongoing investigations across multiple countries highlight the global scale of the challenge.

The impact extends to management, with David Beckham expressing interest in Las Vegas for Major League Soccer expansion, while Spain's women's soccer head coach was dismissed following controversial behavior at the World Cup.

These developments underscore the ongoing challenges facing soccer's governing bodies in maintaining the sport's integrity while addressing gambling-related issues at all levels of competition.

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