Many snooker player have been removed from the game for violating match fixing rules. Many players were suspended, including Yan Bingtao (ex-Masters champion) in the middle of an ongoing investigation.
Bingtao May Have Fixed Matches
World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA), is currently investigating match-fixing allegations and has now suspended several players. Yan Bingtao was one of the most prominent players that the association punished and will not be allowed to participate in the World Snooker Tour while the investigation is complete.
After the WPBSA finishes its investigation, Bingtao and his fellow players’ suspensions will either be lifted or continued if they are deemed to be guilty. The current suspension was not lifted. However, players can appeal.
Bingtao, currently the 16th best snooker player worldwide, is one of the rising stars in professional snooker. Aged 22, Bingtao, also known as “The Tiger,” is a promising young player who upset John Higgins in the 2021 Masters final. Bingtao became the first player to win the tournament in 2008, when he was just 22 years old.
Five More Chinese Players Were Sanctioned
Bingtao isn’t the only suspended player who has been accused of match-fixing. Lu Ning (Li Hang), Zhao Jianbo Bai Langning, Chang Bingyu and Zhao Jianbo were all banned from participating in the World Snooker Tour.
Similar to Bingtao’s, these professionals won’t be allowed to participate in the World Snooker Tour until either the investigation or any subsequent charges have been brought. The decision can be appealed by the five players.
The suspensions follow an October investigation in which the WPBSA discovered that Liang Wenbo (another Chinese player) may have altered the results of snooker matches to make money. The association began an investigation and has since expanded its scope to include other professional snooker players.
BetVictor, a sports betting firm, reaffirmed this summer its support for the World Snooker Tour. The company also promised to pay an additional £150,000 to the eventual winner of the global snooker championship.
BetVictor’s generosity was welcomed by Steve Dawson, the chairman of the World Snooker Tour. Dawson stated that players will be more motivated to do their best with the bonuses offered by BetVictor.
In other snooker-related news, We1Win, a Malaysian sportsbook, recently named the seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan as its latest brand ambassador for the 2022/23 season.
