Xiao Guodong lodges complaint against Peter Lines following Northern Ireland Open Qualifier

Xiao Guodong has lodged a complaint against Peter Lines after allegedly receiving abuse following their qualifying match at the Northern Ireland Open.

Xiao, 32, prevailed 4-3 in their encounter at the Morningside Arena in Leicester last Thursday but was left shaken after allegedly being threatened by 51-year-old Lines in the players’ lounge after the match.

In their formal complaint, Xiao’s management team wrote: ‘Xiao brought us to the attention that Peter was using swear words and was also threatening Xiao to step outside the arena for a fight in front of the referee, which is not acceptable and quite intimidating for a player who is coming from a different country.

‘In fact it was the security guy that stopped Peter from doing worse.’

During the match, Lines informed the referee that a ball had been replaced incorrectly prior to Xiao playing a shot, though it is unclear as to whether this was the cause of the incident.

The letter also claimed that Wu Yize, Pang Junxu and Elliot Slessor were all witnesses of the confrontation backstage.

Xiao posted on Chinese social media site Sina Weibo: “Though my English is not good, I still could make out what you said.

“I have sent all the details to the WCBS and am waiting for them to announce the investigation results. I will not make trouble and I am not afraid of any provocation. I am a Chinese.”

A WST statement read: ‘WST has received a formal complaint from Xiao Guodong regarding the conduct of his opponent Peter Lines following their match in the Northern Ireland Open Qualifiers.

‘A thorough investigation is now underway and the matter is being treated serious.

‘Neither WST or the WPBSA will make any further comment until the issue is resolved.’

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