Ten Chinese players have been charged with match-fixing in the biggest scandal to rock the sport.
Liang Wenbo was suspended by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA), the sport’s governing body, in October. Nine other players following including 2021 Masters champion Yan Bingtao and UK Championship champion and former German Masters winner Zhao Xintong, two of the hottest prospects from the country. And if charges are now proven the lengthy bans from the sport are expected.
The WPBSA said it had concluded the players had a case to answer after an investigation by its integrity unit, working closely with the sports technology company Sportradar, which monitors betting. A statement read: "The 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. 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."
Following a detailed investigation by the WPBSA Integrity Unit, working closely with Sportradar, the WPBSA has decided that ten snooker players have a case to answer in respect of the following alleged breaches of the WPBSA Conduct Regulations. Liang Wenbo has been charged with being concerned in fixing matches and approaching players to fix matches on the World Snooker Tour, seeking to obstruct the investigation and failing to cooperate with the WPBSA investigation.
Li Hang has been charged with being concerned in fixing matches and approaching players to fix matches on the World Snooker Tour, seeking to obstruct the investigation and betting on snooker matches. Lu Ning has been charged with fixing a match and being concerned in fixing matches and approaching a player to fix a match on the World Snooker Tour, seeking to obstruct the investigation and betting on snooker matches.
Yan Bingtao has been charged with fixing matches on the World Snooker Tour and betting on snooker. Zhao Xintong has been charged with being concerned in fixing matches on the World Snooker Tour and betting on snooker.
Zhang Jiankang has been charged with fixing a match on the World Snooker Tour, failing to report approaches for him to fix matches and betting on snooker matches.
Chen Zifan has been charged with fixing matches on the World Snooker Tour. Chang Bingyu and Zhao Jianbo have each been charged with fixing a match on the World Snooker Tour Bai Langning has been charged with being concerned in fixing a match on the World Snooker Tour.
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