Ex-soccer star gets death sentence

GUANGZHOU: A former soccer player was sentenced to death with two years' reprieve yesterday for killing a man after failing to pay gambling debts last year, a local court said.

Wen Junwu, who played for the Guangzhou-based Apollo Football Club, which is no longer in existence, was also charged with stealing from Li Jiahao, the man he killed, the Guangzhou Intermediate People's Court said yesterday.

Wen, 30, who was widely regarded as a promising star during his time with the club (1997-99), pleaded guilty to the crimes in court.