Yan Bingtao Becomes Seventh Player To Be Suspended In Snooker Match-Fixing Probe

Snooker has been left reeling after Yan Bingtao became the seventh player to be suspended in a matter of weeks over investigations into match-fixing. 

The 22-year-old from China – based in Sheffield for most of the year – is one of the hottest prospects in the game and has already won the prestigious Masters title plus a ranking event in Riga. But Yan joins compatriots Liang Wenbo, Lu Ning, Li Hang, Chang Bingyu, Bai Langning and Zhao Jianbo to be barred from all competition pending corruption probes.

Former English Open winner Liang, 35, was suspended back in October initially for “allegations of misconduct”. But last week when the suspensions were given to the other five by the WPBSA over a probe into manipulation of matches for betting purposes, it became clear the temporary bans were linked. The affair has swiftly mushroomed into potentially the most damaging scandal ever to hit the game – though all the players bar Liang still have a time window to appeal the suspensions. 

With this year’s English Open beginning on Monday a surreal start to the morning’s play saw three of the tables begin on time – with one table standing empty. That was the one due to be occupied by Yan and Ashley Hugill, who had both turned up and were ready to play. Instead Yan was carted off to speak to disciplinary chief Nigel Mawer elsewhere in the Brentwood Centre in Essex. Hugill was only told of developments 10 minutes before he was due to start his match – but became the beneficiary of a bye into the next round. 

Chang, 20, is one of three young players involved along with Zhao, 19, and the 20-year-old Bai Langning. And in a post on Chinese social media site Weibo that has already been taken down, Chang both admitted to match-fixing and also claimed that he was threatened and intimidated into doing so by Liang.  

The game involving Chang was against Jamie Jones in the last 32 of the British Open in September, a contest he admits he deliberately threw and went on to lose 4-1. Jones is in no way implicated. 

Chang claimed: “On the morning of the start of the game, Liang Wenbo called me in a threatening tone, saying he was ‘in’ my game against Jamie Jones. I was afraid that he had bet so much money. If I didn’t agree, he would make trouble for me, so I had no choice but to agree. I was very scared.  

“No matter what the reason is for the match-fixing, it is my mistake, and I will actively cooperate with the investigation. I can accept my punishment, but I was really scared at the time. I didn’t receive any money. “On the day before the investigation meeting, a friend of Liang that I don't know drove to my residence and asked me to sit in his car. When I entered the car, he handed me his phone. On the phone, Liang told me to lie, or I would get myself into trouble. I hope I will get a fair judgment.”  

Two-time World Cup winner Liang is understood to be on holiday in Hong Kong, though the opportunity to respond was given to him via family on Sunday. However, in recent communications he has denied he had ever been involved in match-fixing, insisted he would challenge the claims legally, and also hinted that he would be a whistle blower on other corruption issues in the game. 

A World Snooker statement on Monday read: “WPBSA chairman Jason Ferguson has taken the decision to suspend Yan Bingtao from attending or competing on the World Snooker Tour with immediate effect. 

“This decision is part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of manipulating the outcome of matches for betting purposes in breach of the WPBSA Conduct Regulations. 

“The suspension will remain in place until the conclusion of the investigation or any subsequent charges that may or may not be brought. Yan Bingtao has the right to appeal this decision. 

“No further comment will be made except in the event of any significant further developments.”