Prolonged bans anticipated in snooker match-fixing probe led by WPBSA with ‘sanctions imminent’ – report

Liang Wenbo, Zhao Xintong, Yan Bingtao, Lu Ning, Zhang Jiankang, Li Hold, Chen Zifan, Zhao Jianbo, Bai Langning and Chang Bingyu have been suspended on the outset of the 12 months as the game’s authorities probed “allegations of manipulating the result of matches for betting functions”.

• Liang Wenbo has been charged with caring in fixing matches and approaching gamers to repair matches on the World Snooker Tour, looking for to hinder the investigation and failing to cooperate with the WPBSA investigation.
• Li Hold has been charged with caring in fixing matches and approaching gamers to repair matches on the World Snooker Tour, looking for to hinder the investigation and betting on snooker matches.
• Lu Ning has been charged with fixing a match and caring in fixing matches and approaching a participant to repair a match on the World Snooker Tour, looking for to hinder 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 caring 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 repair 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 every been charged with fixing a match on the World Snooker Tour
• Bai Langning has been charged with caring in fixing a match on the World Snooker Tour.

The Occasions says former UK and German Masters champion Zhao Xintong remained within the UK for final month’s disciplinary listening to with the opposite 9 males returning to China.

WPBSA chairman Jason Ferguson had beforehand confirmed that ignoring the strict betting guidelines within the sport can result in as much as a lifetime ban.

“It’s unattainable for me to provide an consequence. It’s as much as that impartial sports activities tribunal to make that call and we and either side should abide by that call.

“Clearly, there are going to be varied expenses laid in opposition to these gamers.”

Event organisers World Snooker Tour launched an announcement explaining the plan of action taken after Liang was suspended from taking part in English Open qualifying in October amid “allegations of misconduct”.

“This follows the suspension of Liang Wenbo on 27 October 2022 and a subsequent investigation which stays ongoing into allegations of manipulating the result of matches for betting functions in breach of the WPBSA Conduct Rules.

“The suspensions of all six gamers will stay in place till the conclusion of the investigation or any subsequent expenses which will or is probably not introduced. These gamers have the suitable to attraction this determination.

“The investigation stays ongoing, and no additional remark shall be made till the investigation is full.”

“This follows an preliminary investigation of irregular betting patterns reported to the WPBSA on the match between Mark King and Joe Perry on the Welsh Open on thirteenth February 2023.

“The suspension will stay in place till the conclusion of the investigation or any subsequent expenses which will or is probably not introduced. Mark King has the suitable to attraction this determination.”