UAE

Life and Living

World

Opinion

Business

Sports

Entertainment

Dubai World Cup

lifestyle

Travel

Reviews

Brands

Supplements

KT Events

KT APPDOWNLOAD

Type your keywords

Two professional Chinese players handed life bans in snooker's biggest match-fixing scandal

Eight other players have received bans ranging from 20 months to five years and four months

Read more...
Chinese players Liang Wenbo and Li Hang were handed out the strictest punishment by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA), - AP

By Reuters

Published: Tue 6 Jun 2023, 10:34 PM

Chinese players Liang Wenbo and Li Hang have been handed lifetime bans for match-fixing by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA), the governing body said on Tuesday.

The pair have been found to have fixed snooker matches, persuaded or encouraged other players to fix matches and bet on matches, among other rule breaches. They have until June 20 to appeal against the decisions.

Eight other Chinese players have been suspended, including former UK Championship winner Zhao Xintong who was banned for one year and eight months, and Yan Bingtao, the 2021 Masters champion, who was banned for five years.

Advertising
Advertising

"It has been heart-breaking to see some young talented players fall foul of the WPBSA Conduct Regulations through pressure exerted by two senior players," WPBSA chair Jason Ferguson said.

"This behaviour has been recognised as wholly unacceptable by the imposition of two lifetime bans from participating in recognised snooker in any way."

Reuters

Published: Tue 6 Jun 2023, 10:34 PM

Recommended for you