Yan Bingtao and Zhao Xintong among ten Chinese players charged in match-fixing investigation
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Former Triple Crown event winners Yan Bingtao and Zhao Xintong are among ten Chinese players facing charges over match-fixing in professional snooker competition.
Following a detailed investigation by the WPBSA, it was concluded that ten players have a ‘case to answer’ in respect of numerous breaches of the WPBSA Conduct Regulations.
The allegations include manipulating games, approaching other players to cheat, betting on snooker and fixing matches.
Snooker’s biggest corruption scandal first surfaced last October when Liang Wenbo was banned pending the results of a misconduct investigation.
Five more players – Lu Ning, Li Hang, Zhao Jianbo, Bai Langning and Chang Bingyu – were then suspended in December.
Yan Bingtao, the 2021 Masters champion, became the seventh Chinese player to be sanctioned, with Chen Zifan, Zhang Jiankang and 2021 UK Champion Zhao Xintong following soon after.
The players are currently suspended from attending and competing on the World Snooker Tour until the conclusion of the hearing – which will take place before an Independent Disciplinary Tribunal at a venue and on a date to be confirmed.
It is understood there is not a separate police investigation at this stage, though any players found guilty could face a lengthy ban from the sport.
Who are the players and what are the charges?
Liang Wenbo (world number 56) – 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 (world number 64) – 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 (world number 46) – 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 (world number 16) – has been charged with fixing matches on the World Snooker Tour and betting on snooker.
Zhao Xintong (world number 9) – has been charged with being concerned in fixing matches on the World Snooker Tour and betting on snooker.
Zhang Jiankang (world number 82) – 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 (world number 93) – has been charged with fixing matches on the World Snooker Tour.
Chang Bingyu (world number 77) – has been charged with fixing a match on the World Snooker Tour.
Zhao Jianbo (amateur) – has each been charged with fixing a match on the World Snooker Tour.
Bai Langning (world number 126) – has been charged with being concerned in fixing a match on the World Snooker Tour.