Welcome to the Weekend Report, where we bring you key stories you might have missed from Friday through Sunday. This week, a former Premier League footballer faces 20 years in prison for match-fixing, Norway’s Norsk Tipping boosts sports funding, Veikkaus secures a fresh ice hockey deal, and Zeal Network celebrates a quarter-century milestone.
Former Premier League Footballer Li Tie Sentenced to 20 Years
Li Tie, a name familiar to fans of Everton and Sheffield United, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in a match-fixing scandal. Once a celebrated footballer and manager of China’s national team, Li admitted to taking over $16 million (£12.7m/€15.2m) in bribes.
The court revealed that Li’s offences occurred during his tenure as an assistant coach at Hebei China Fortune Club, a Chinese Super League team that folded last year. From 2015 to 2021, Li used his influence to accept bribes in exchange for selecting certain players for the national team and ensuring favourable results for certain clubs.
His fall from grace has stunned the football world. Li, who earned 92 international caps for China, played a crucial role in the country’s 2002 World Cup appearance. His move to Everton in 2002, initially on loan, cemented his status as one of China’s football icons.
The BBC reports that Li pleaded guilty in March to both accepting and offering bribes, a grim reminder of football’s ongoing battle with corruption.
Norsk Tipping Channels NOK930 Million to Norwegian Sports
In a far more uplifting development, Norway’s state-owned gambling operator, Norsk Tipping, has delivered a record NOK930 million (£67.5m/€78.6m) to sports organisations across the country.
This year’s funding marks a NOK60 million increase from 2023, with most of the money going to the Norwegian Sports Federation (NIF) and the Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee. These funds support initiatives for inclusivity in sport, with a focus on children, young people, and individuals with disabilities.
A further NOK11 million has been allocated to Tverga, a resource centre for self-organised sports in Norway. This funding will provide vital support to grassroots initiatives and informal sporting activities.
Veikkaus Extends Partnership with Finnish Ice Hockey Association
In Finland, betting operator Veikkaus has strengthened its ties with the Finnish Ice Hockey Association by extending their partnership through to 2030.
The long-term agreement will continue to support key areas of Finnish ice hockey, including:
- The men’s and women’s national teams
- The under-20 national team
- The Aurora League (women’s elite ice hockey competition)
Veikkaus, which has been a major sponsor for years, reaffirmed its commitment to the sport. “We’re very proud of our long-standing collaboration with Finnish ice hockey,” said Reija Laaksonen, executive vice president at Veikkaus. “This partnership is integral to both sides, and we’re excited to continue building on it for years to come.”
The extension underscores Veikkaus’ ongoing support of elite-level and grassroots sports, helping bolster Finland’s reputation as a global ice hockey powerhouse.
The Pools Restructures with Key Senior Appointments
In the UK, The Pools has continued its operational revamp by naming Chris Williams as head of product and Matt Knowles as head of CRM.
Williams brings a wealth of experience, having held roles at SIS Betting, Sky Betting & Gaming, and LiveScore Group. Knowles, meanwhile, arrives from Betway Group, where he led global initiatives to boost customer engagement and loyalty.
These appointments are part of The Pools’ broader push to modernise and enhance its offerings. Over recent weeks, the company has also announced Sharon Wright as marketing director and Phillip Donegan as chief technology officer, signalling a significant restructuring effort.
Zeal Network Celebrates 25 Years of Success
Rounding out the weekend’s news, Zeal Network, one of Germany’s leading lottery operators, has celebrated its 25th anniversary.
Founded in 1999 as Tipp24, Zeal was the pioneer of online lottery ticket sales in Germany. Since then, it has expanded significantly, rebranding as Zeal Network following its IPO in 2005 and acquiring Lotto24 in 2019.
Today, headquartered in Hamburg, Zeal serves over 1.3 million monthly users across its platforms and continues to dominate the German lottery brokerage market.
Reflecting on the milestone, CEO Helmut Becker shared his pride: “What began as a two-man start-up in Hamburg has grown into a company with over 250 employees. A quarter of a century later, we’re stronger than ever, growing our market share and evolving our business model.”
Zeal’s success underscores the resilience and adaptability of the online lottery industry, which continues to thrive even amid economic uncertainty.
