Apr.10 (GMM) The fired general manager of Shanghai's formula one circuit has lost an appeal against his four year jail term for embezzlement.

Yu Zhifei, who was instrumental in bringing the sport to China and a key promoter until his removal, was in January sentenced amid a major corruption scandal, including his using nearly (US) $150,000 in public money to buy a house.

The Caijing Magazine now reports that the 54-year-old this week had his appeal turned down by the Higher People's Court of Wuhu City in China's eastern Anhui Province.

His lawyer had argued that the money should have been considered "welfare" given his poor health and senior position, the Chinese news agency Xinhua said.

The decision is final.