Find out ‘Why was Zhao Xintong suspended?’ Zhao Xintong and Zhang Jiankang have joined former Masters champion Yan Bingtao, Liang Wenbo, Chen Zifan, Lu Ning, Li Hang, Zhao Jianbo, Bai Langning, and Chang Bingyu on the suspension list as the newest players involved in the snooker match-fixing probe. He was scheduled to compete in the Masters, which get underway on Sunday at Alexandra Palace.
Zhao Xintong, a former UK Championship winner and fellow Chinese player Zhang Jiankang are the latest players to be suspended in the snooker match-fixing probe, bringing the total to ten.
Zhao, who won the UK title last season and has received high accolades from players such as Ronnie O’Sullivan, was scheduled to compete in the next Masters. On Sunday, the 25-year-old was set to meet world No. 2 Mark Selby in the final 16.
Zhang, 24, has never advanced past the fourth round of a ranking competition, despite reaching that point twice in the 2019 Scottish Open and the 2021 British Open. Both players have the option to contest their punishment.
Why was Zhao Xintong suspended?
Yan Bingtao, a former Masters champion, is suspended as part of the investigation, along with Liang Wenbo, who won the 2016 English Open, Chen Zifan, Lu Ning, Li Hang, Zhao Jianbo, Bai Langning, and Chang Bingyu.
“The larger investigation is now at an advanced level, and it is envisaged that it be finished shortly at which point any potential charges will be considered,” the WPBSA stated in a statement. Lifetime bans for any players found guilty, according to WPBSA Chairman Jason Ferguson, are doubtful.
Ferguson was questioned about Shaun Murphy, an ex-world champion who advocated for giving those responsible lifetime bans.
“I think anyone convicted of match-fixing, their existence in the snooker world should be gone,” remarked Murphy in December.
? WPBSA STATEMENT | 3 JANUARY 2023https://t.co/jSHHXULjh2
— WPBSA (@WPBSAofficial) January 3, 2023
