Yan Bingtao One Of Six Chinese Players Charged With Match-Fixing

Triple Crown winners Yan Bingtao and Zhao Xintong are among 10 players charged with match-fixing offences on Wednesday. 

On a damaging day for snooker all of the Chinese players previously suspended were charged by the WPBSA after the biggest corruption investigation in the game’s history. 

Former Masters champion and world number 16 Yan, 22, is among six players charged with actually fixing a match or matches – along with Lu Ning, Zhang Jiankang, Chen Zifan, Chang Bingyu and Zhao Jianbo. 

World No9 and 2021 UK Championship winner Zhao, 25, has been charged with being concerned with fixing matches - or involved in some way in another player’s match - and betting on snooker.  

The charges for Zhao and  Yan are the most shocking in terms of their status – two rising stars seen as a huge part of the game’s future. But other very serious charges have been filed. 

Former English Open winner Liang Wenbo, the first player to be suspended back in October, has been charged with approaching players to fix matches, being concerned with fixing matches, and seeking to obstruct the investigation. 

Li Hang faces those same counts, with Lu Ning also charged with approaching a player to fix a match. 

An independent disciplinary tribunal will now be set up where players can answer the cases - likely to be in March over two weeks. 

And with verdicts to be arrived at, sanctions for anyone found guilty and possible appeals, there is now a good chance the affair will roll over into the World Championships at the Crucible in April. 

The probe has already led to the governing bodies looking at strengthening their induction and education programme for new and existing pros, and also how the UK- based academies can identify and stamp out such activity.gr 

Former world champion Shaun Murphy, after a 4-0 win over Ali Carter at the World Grand Prix, said: “We’d been living in hope this might be a big misunderstanding, or maybe having a bet – wrong though that is. 

“But to find all 10 players have been charged with either fixing matches, or being involved in fixing matches, is deeply upsetting and a very dark day for snooker. 

“Cheating is very hard to get away from. And if any or all of these players are found guilty, my overriding feeling will be of betrayal. These are players I have shaken hands with. 

“You always believe you are competing with your fellow professionals on a fair footing, all giving your best. So to see 10 accused of cheating, if found guilty I hope we never see them again.” 

Legend Stephen Hendry, an ITV pundit at this week’s World Grand Prix, said: “A sad part is that if these players are proved guilty, some  very talented players have ruined their careers. 

“A career from which they could make lucrative earnings, doing something they love. And they would have thrown that away.  

“I think generally we can believe what we see in snooker, and that’s why they are doing what they are doing – so people can be sure they are watching a genuine sporting match.  

“And I find it sad that having watched these guys, the ones we see at the final stages – to me, if it’s proven, it’s just stupidity and I can’t believe it.” 

WPBSA chairman Jason Ferguson said: “It is heart-breaking situation for those of us that have been in this sport for a long time, and worked so hard to make it the great game it is. 

“We are now at the stage were there is a case to answer, and the prosecution stage at an independent sports tribunal. That may be March, but it needs to be done by the end of the season. 

“Anyone found guilty of match-fixing offences can get up to a lifetime ban. And if found guilty, that is up to the independent tribunal. People need to trust what they are watching, that’s why we are doing this. 

“There is some short-term damage with China, but the authorities are working with us on this and we are in goo talks with China about returning there post Covid next season.” 

The full list of charges appeared in a WPBSA statement, which read: "Following a detailed investigation by the WPBSA Integrity Unit, working closely with Sportradar, the WPBSA has decided that 10 snooker players have a case to answer in respect of the following alleged breaches of the WPBSA Conduct Regulations.

Liang Wenbo 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 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 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 has been charged with fixing matches on the World Snooker Tour and betting on snooker.

Zhao Xintong has been charged with being concerned in fixing matches on the World Snooker Tour and betting on snooker.  

Zhang Jiankang 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 has been charged with fixing matches on the World Snooker Tour.

Chang Bingyu and Zhao Jianbo have each been charged with fixing a match on the World Snooker Tour

Bai Langning has been charged with being concerned in fixing a match on the World Snooker Tour.

The players are currently suspended from attending and competing on the World Snooker Tour and in other WPBSA governed events until the conclusion of the hearing or hearings and the determination of this matter.  

This matter will be referred to a formal hearing before an Independent Disciplinary Tribunal that will take place at a venue and on a date to be confirmed."