Snooker match fixing: 5 players given longer bans in China face global exclusion too, WPBSA confirms in blow for Yan Bingtao and Zhao Xintong
- The 10 players found guilty in snooker’s biggest ever scandal have their punishments endorsed by the Chinese federation – which extends five of the suspensions
- Players whose global ban ends before their domestic one could effectively remain banned, world governing body reveals
While the CBSA reiterated the lifetime worldwide bans given to Liang Wenbo and Li Hang for their leading roles in snooker’s biggest ever fixing scandal, it extended the bans for five other players. They include the most high-profile pair of Yan Bingtao and Zhao Xintong, each tipped as a future world champion.
Its punishments for the five equated to the suspensions the WPBSA originally calculated before they were reduced by a third for pleading guilty. The 10 players were found guilty of rule breaches including fixing matches, persuading other players to do so, and betting on matches.
Asked by the Post whether China’s ruling could prevent players competing abroad after their worldwide bans expire, the WPBSA on Thursday explained that its regulations require players competing on the World Snooker Tour (WST) to be in “good standing” with their national federation.
“The CBSA suspension may preclude a player from being in good standing,” a WPBSA spokesman said.
That could make a significant difference to Yan, 23, in particular. Having had his ban of 7½ years reduced to five by the WPBSA, he has been banned domestically for the original 7½, until 2030.
Zhao’s 30-month ban had been slashed to 20 by the WPBSA, clearing him to play again in September next year. The 26-year-old was given 30 months by the Chinese body.
Lu Ning (eight years), Bai Langning (four years) and Zhang Jiankang (four years and five months) also had their bans restored to their original length. China’s federation matched the reduced bans the WPBSA handed Chen Zifan, Zhao Jianbo and Chang Bingyu.
All of the 10 are “prohibited from participating in all snooker matches and events on the Chinese mainland in any form and in any capacity”, the CBSA said. It was not clear whether they could appeal and the CBSA did not respond to requests for clarification.
Within hours of the sanctions being released on June 6, the CBSA vowed to “carry out warning education in the whole industry” and “purify the atmosphere of the game in the country”.
Mainland China will this year welcome back WST tournaments after the easing of the country’s strict Covid-19 restrictions.
A regular and lucrative destination for the circuit pre-pandemic, China will host at least three events: the Shanghai Masters in September, the Wuhan Open in October and the International Championship in November.
How snooker match fixing works, who spots it and why gamblers exploit the sport
WST this week confirmed that its guaranteed annual income of £20,000 (US$25,500), introduced last year to help prevent hardship for players, will be retained for the next two seasons.
Financial difficulty was a factor referenced by the independent panel who heard the charges against the 10 Chinese players.
Those earning £20,000 or more in prize money have the upfront payments deducted from their winnings. Of the 130 players on the professional tour, 30 last season won less than £20,000.
