Ten Chinese players face match-fixing charges as the snooker regulator investigates the sport’s biggest corruption scandal.
The charges include manipulating the game, approaching players to cheat, betting on snooker and match-fixing.
In October, Liang Wenbo was suspended by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA).
Nine others followed, including 2021 Masters champion Yan Bingtao and UK Championship champion Zhao Xintong.
Both players were banned from competing in the Masters last week.
Players found guilty of the charges against them will face a long-term sports ban.
Most of the players have not commented publicly on the allegations, although Wenbo has denied match-fixing.
An independent hearing will be convened to review the evidence.
There is not a separate police investigation at this stage.
“These players are from China. At some point, if convicted, they will return to their home countries and still potentially face criminal prosecution outside of sport in China,” said WPBSA President Jason Ferguson. told BBC Sport.
Shaun Murphy, the 2005 world champion, said it would feel like a “complete betrayal” if a player cheated.
“If players are found guilty of fixing the results of snooker matches, I don’t think we should see them again in the tournament,” he said after beating Ali Carter 4-0 in the first round of the World Grand. Prix in Cheltenham.
What are the costs?
Liang Wenbo – Age: 35 Rating (January 2023): 56. UK Championship Finals 2015
Accused of being involved in match-fixing and approaching players for match-fixing during the World Snooker Tour, of attempting to obstruct a WPBSA investigation, and of failing to cooperate with an investigation.
Ly Hang – Age: 32 Rating: sixty four.
Charged with involvement in match-fixing and approaching match-fixing players, attempting to obstruct investigations and betting on snooker matches.
Luc Ninh – Age: 29 Rating: 46. Reaching the semi-finals of the UK Championship 2020.
Charged with match-fixing and being involved in match-fixing and approaching players to fix a match, attempting to obstruct an investigation and betting on snooker matches.
Yan Bingtao – Age: 22 Rating: 16. The first player born in 2000 turned professional, winning the Masters 2021.
Charged with match-fixing and betting on snooker.
Zhao Xintong – Age: 25 Rating: 9. Won the UK Championship in 2021 and the German Championship in 2022.
Accused of being involved in match-fixing and betting on snooker.
Truong Kien Khang – Age: 24. Rating: 82.
Charged with match-fixing, failing to report his approaches to match-fixing and betting on snooker matches.
Chen Zifan – Age: 27. Rating: 93.
Accused of match-fixing.
Chang Bingyu – Age: 20 Rating: 77.
Accused of fixing a match.
Zhao Jianbo – Age: 19 Rating: Amateur.
Accused of match-fixing.
Bai Langning – Age: 20. Rating: 126.
Accused of being involved in fixing a match.
The ‘fixed-related’ allegation involves matches in which a player did not participate.
What happens next?
The WPBSA said it concluded players must respond after an investigation by the integrity unit, which works closely with sports technology company Sportradar, which oversees betting.
“Players are currently suspended from attending and competing on the World Snooker Tour and in other events administered by the WPBSA until the conclusion of the hearing or hearings and determination on this matter,” a statement said.
“This matter will be referred to a formal hearing before an independent disciplinary court which will take place at a location and at a date to be confirmed.”
Chairman Ferguson said he was confident the tournaments would eventually resume in China, where they have been suspended since the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The whole process is very frustrating and has the potential to change people’s lives,” he said.
“It’s very harmful but I think the damage is short-term. We have to deliver world-class live entertainment and know that the sport is clean. We’ll keep going.
“China is standing with us, we are working with our partners there. They are very disappointed, but the sport is much stronger than this.
“It’s a big commercial market for snooker. Despite this ongoing issue, the mood for our events is very positive. Our return to China is inevitable.”
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