Soccer corruption case winding up

Suspects involved in the long-awaited Chinese soccer corruption case will hear their sentences in two intermediate courts in Liaoning Province this week, according to Beijing News on Tuesday.

The first batch of suspects, who allegedly took bribes, gambled on or fixed matches, will have their cases heard in the Intermediate People's Court of Dandong on Feb 16 or the Intermediate People's Court of Tieling on Feb. 18, the report said.

A lawyer involved in the proceedings said he would hear defendants' final sentences and communicate with his clients after the trial, the report said.

Another lawyer in the case said sentencing will be over in a day. Defendants will be allowed to appeal to higher courts, according to the report.

The trial of high-profile soccer officials, including Nan Yong and Xie Yalong, will take place in March, said the report.

The crackdown against gambling and corruption in Chinese soccer began on Aug 25, 2009. Trials against suspects including Nan's deputy Yang Yimin and a batch of Chinese referees and soccer club managers began in December, the report added.