WPBSA release latest disciplinary outcomes for 2020-21
Jamie O’Neill in action (Photo by Nick Potts/PA Images)
The WPBSA has released the outcomes of its latest disciplinary hearings covering 2020 and 2021.
The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association is the governing body for snooker and is responsible for global sports development, professional player support and representation, rules, governance and integrity.
Eight players have been the subject of disciplinary action between October 2020 and July 2021 for a range of rule breaches.
Jamie O’Neill has racked up three separate suspended fines totalling £3,000 as well as a two-event suspension.
Wellingborough’s O’Neill was fined £1,000 for ‘repeated inappropriate comments on social media’ on December 14, 2020.
O’Neill then posted ten live streams on social media containing ‘inappropriate content’ on January 1, 2021 and was handed a further £1,000 fine.
During February’s Snooker Shoot-Out in Milton Keynes, O’Neill is alleged to have displayed ‘inappropriate behaviour’ towards hotel staff and WST staff, as well as breaching the event’s Covid policy.
He received a two-event suspension and a suspended suspension until conclusion of the 2022 World Championship and was ordered to pay £1,500 in costs.
Alfie Burden was handed a suspended £1,000 fine for ‘inappropriate behaviour’ towards staff in the event hotel during the 2020 World Championship Qualifiers.
British Open finalist Gary Wilson was fined £250 and given a formal warning for playing a deliberate foul to concede the frame during the Championship League in January.
World Seniors Champion David Lilley received a £100 fine and a formal warning for arguing with a referee during the Seniors Masters qualifiers in January.
Lu Ning was fined £1,500 for breaching the player’s contract by appearing in two non-sanctioned broadcast events, while compatriots Xu Si and Zhao Jianbo were both fined £500 for one breach of the same rule.
Jianbo and Gao Yang both received a formal warning for failure to take a Day Eight Covid test on June 29.
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