Chinese snooker stars get suspensions EXTENDED over match-fixing scandal

CHINESE SNOOKER bosses have clamped down hard on five of the ten players banned for match-fixing – by adding an additional eight years and ten months punishment.

This month an independent WPBSA disciplinary commission handed two lifetime bans to Liang Wenbo and Li Hang following a five-month corruption probe that has rocked the sport.

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Eight other players, including Triple Crown winners Yan Bingtao and Zhao Xintong, have been barred from competitions for a total of 27 years.

Most of the punishments had been significantly reduced by the tribunal in consideration of early admissions and pleas of guilt.

Yet the Chinese Billiards and Snooker Association (CBSA) have now decided to award extended bans for half of the group while upholding the two lifetime sanctions.

Xintong, the 2021 UK champ, had received the lightest ban – 20 months – but that has been increased by TEN MONTHS to two years and six months by China-based chiefs.

This bars the world No.11 from entering any tournaments in his homeland until July 1, 2025, and applies to all cue sports.

Though technically he could take part in amateur events outside of China after his WPBSA suspension is lifted on September 2, 2024 — once he has fallen off the World Snooker Tour — it is unlikely he will be allowed to play.

SunSport understands that administrators are set to follow the ruling handed down by counterparts in the Far East.

To enter Q School for example, cueists must be in “good standing with the official national federation” of their country – and that may be used against him.

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Bingtao, who won the 2021 Masters crown, was originally suspended for five years but authorities back home have increased that by a whopping 30 MONTHS to seven years and six months.

No explanation has been given as to why the extra bans have been put in place.

Offences ranged from fixing games, betting on results to failing to co-operate with corruption investigators.

Players had until 5pm on Tuesday to lodge an appeal but nobody has decided to follow that legal route.