Snooker: 10 Chinese players face match-fixing charges
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Yan Bingtao is one of 10 Chinese players facing match-fixing charges.
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BEIJING – Ten Chinese snooker players face match-fixing charges following an investigation by the governing World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association‘s integrity unit, it was announced on Wednesday.
Liang Wenbo, Li Hang, Lu Ning, Yan Bingtao, Zhao Xintong, Zhang Jiankang, Chen Zifan, Chang Bingyu, Zhao Jianbo and Bai Langning are the players charged.
Zhao Xintong, who won the 2021 UK Championship and the 2022 German Masters, is ranked ninth in the world, while Yan is a former Masters champion. Both were barred from competing in last week’s Masters.
Zhao has been charged with being concerned in fixing matches on the World Snooker Tour and betting on snooker, while Yan has been charged with fixing matches on the World Snooker Tour and betting on snooker.
“The (10) players are currently suspended from attending and competing on the World Snooker Tour and in other WPBSA-governed events until the conclusion of the hearing or hearings and the determination of this matter,” a statement read.
“This matter will be referred to a formal hearing before an independent disciplinary tribunal that will take place at a venue and on a date to be confirmed.”
The BBC reported that, if found guilty of the charges, the players will face a lengthy ban from the sport.
Most of them have not commented on the allegations before the WPBSA’s announcement on Wednesday, although Liang has denied match-fixing.
It is also understood that there will not be a separate police investigation as of now, according to the BBC.
Earlier in January, seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan called on snooker’s governing bodies to provide support for players suspended during the investigation.
“Before you start criticising the guys involved, you have to put yourself in other people’s shoes,” he said.
“It can only be one of two things, they either have an addiction and, if that’s a case, then they need help, or they are struggling to make ends meet.
“World Snooker could help support them rather than being hard on them.”
Others, like six-time world champion Steve Davis, were not as forgiving.
He told the BBC last week: “If the allegations are proven to be true, it shows a breathtaking level of stupidity by these players.
“What effect it has on the game, it’s hard to evaluate at the moment. It’s embarrassing. I think all the players are aware of the situation and, fortunately, the WPBSA is on top of it.” REUTERS
