Two Chinese snooker players Liang Wenbo and Li Hang have been indefinitely banned for their roles in a match-fixing scandal. The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) has taken decisive action against the players, along with eight others, by imposing lifetime bans and significant suspensions.
The WPBSA released an official statement, revealing that all ten players had been charged with match-fixing offenses.
Liang Wenbo, aged 36 and already under suspension from snooker events since October last year, was found guilty of manipulating or participating in the manipulation of five snooker matches.
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He also attempted to persuade other players to fix nine matches and was involved in betting on snooker matches. Furthermore, he failed to cooperate with the WPBSA during the investigation.
Li Hang, aged 32, also faced charges of match-fixing and inciting other players to manipulate match outcomes. Both players have now received lifetime bans, preventing them from participating in any recognized snooker events.
The repercussions of the scandal have also affected other prominent snooker players. Yan Bingtao, the 2021 Master champion, has been handed a five-year ban that will last until December 11, 2027.
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Similarly, Zhao Xintong, who boasts two ranking titles, has been suspended for one year and eight months, with his ban set to expire on September 1, 2024.
Expressing his disappointment, WPBSA Chairman Jason Ferguson described the case as complex and regrettable. He highlighted the pressure exerted by two senior players, which led some young talented players astray.
Ferguson emphasized that such behavior is entirely unacceptable, resulting in the imposition of two lifetime bans from participating in recognized snooker events.
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One of the implicated players, Zhao Xintong, aged 26, took to his social media account to issue an apology. He expressed deep regret over his actions and admitted his ignorance and foolishness.
Zhao acknowledged that his mistake had disappointed everyone and extended his sincere apologies to all those affected.
While Zhao denied ever fixing a match or contemplating match-fixing, he admitted that he had failed to refuse a friend’s request to assist with betting. Although he gained no profit from his involvement, he acknowledged the heavy price he paid for his foolishness.
This match-fixing scandal involving Chinese snooker players has sent shockwaves through the sport, as the WPBSA takes a strong stance against such unethical conduct. The association’s actions emphasize their commitment to maintaining the integrity and fairness of snooker competitions worldwide.
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