Match-fixing investigation ‘embarrassing’ for snooker, says Davis, questions impact on sport in China
- Snooker great says any player found to have fixed a game would be guilty of a ‘breathtaking level of stupidity’
- 10 Chinese players have been suspended so far as part of the investigation, including former UK champion Zhao Xintong
Snooker great Steve Davis has labelled the ongoing investigation into alleged match-fixing as “embarrassing” for the sport while raising concerns about what it could do to the growth of the game in China.
But the six-time world champion stressed anyone found to have engaged in fixing would be guilty of a “breathtaking level of stupidity”.
This year’s edition of the Masters, one of snooker’s leading tournaments, started in London on Sunday without Zhao Xintong and Yan Bingtao – two of 10 Chinese players suspended pending the outcome of an inquiry by World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, the sport’s global governing body.
Three-time Masters champion Davis told the BBC: “If the allegations are proven to be true, it shows a breathtaking level of stupidity by these players, but this is still to be developed.”
The 65-year-old Englishman added: “It’s embarrassing. I think all the players are aware of the situation and fortunately the WPBSA is on top of it. What effect it has on the game, it’s hard to evaluate at the moment.”
China has long been seen as a country with huge growth potential for snooker, a sport traditionally dominated by players from Britain and Ireland.
But China has not staged a major snooker competition since 2019 because of the coronavirus pandemic and plans to return there for a World Snooker Tour event may now be put on hold during the investigation.