Liang and Li handed lifetime bans for match-fixing

Chinese players Liang Wenbo and Li Hang have been handed lifetime bans for their involvement in snooker’s biggest match-fixing scandal.

The allegations include manipulating games, approaching players to cheat, betting on snooker and fixing matches.

Yan Bingtao, the 2021 Masters champion, has been banned until December 2027, while former UK Championship winner Zhao Xintong must serve a suspension that ends in September 2024.

All 10 players have until 20 June to appeal against the decisions.

WPBSA chairman Jason Ferguson said: “This has been a very complex case. It has been heart-breaking to see some young talented players fall foul of the WPBSA Conduct Regulations through pressure exerted by two senior players.

“This behaviour has been recognised as wholly unacceptable by the imposition of two lifetime bans from participating in recognised snooker in any way.

“I am pleased that the commission found that they did not see from the present case any evidence of a wider culture of wrongdoing in snooker.

“The WPBSA will continue its strong stance against those who try to manipulate sport and today’s outcome sends out a clear message that match-fixing will not be tolerated in snooker.”

Punishments will act as ‘strong deterrent’ – analysis

Jamie Broughton, BBC 5 Live snooker reporter

The WPBSA has worked hard to investigate this complex case and will be delighted by the punishments handed out.

Over the past decade, the organisation has shown its determination to investigate allegations of corruption, and charge anyone it believes to be guilty of wrongdoing.

Snooker’s had to endure some negative headlines over recent months, but the lifetime bans handed out to Liang Wenbo and Li Hang should act as a strong deterrent to any players tempted to get involved in match-fixing.

For many snooker fans, the real sadness in this case is why two of China’s biggest stars, Yan Bingtao and Zhao Xintong, got involved. Both players have been talked about as world champions in the making.

And questions will now be asked if more can be done by the snooker authorities around the world to educate young players about the dangers of corruption.

What were the verdicts and punishments?

Liang Wenbo

Age: 36 Ranking: 72. Finalist in 2015 UK Championship

Given a lifetime ban and ordered to pay £43,000 in costs. He was found guilty of fixing or being a party to fixing five matches, trying to get other players to fix nine matches, betting on snooker matches, threatening another player, deleting messages and asking other players to, failing to cooperate with the enquiry.

Li Hang

Age: 32 Ranking: 71

Given a lifetime ban and ordered to pay £43,000 in costs. He was found guilty of fixing or being a party to fixing five matches, trying to get other players to fix seven matches, betting on snooker matches, deleting messages and asking other players to.

Lu Ning

Age: 29 Ranking: 65. Semi-finalist at the 2020 UK Championship

Given a ban of five years and four months, reduced from eight years after his early admissions and guilty plea. He has to pay £7,500 in costs. He was not found guilty of inducing others to fix matches. He accepted charges of fixing four snooker matches he played in, betting on matches and deleting messages.

Yan Bingtao

Age: 22 Ranking: 23. First player born in 2000 to turn professional, won 2021 Masters

Given a ban of five years, reduced from seven and a half years after his early admissions and guilty plea. He has to pay £7,500 in costs. He accepted charges of fixing four snooker matches he played in and betting on matches.

Zhao Xintong

Age: 25 Ranking: 11. Won 2021 UK Championship and 2022 German Masters

Given a ban of one year and eight months, reduced from two and a half years after his early admissions and guilty plea. He has to pay £7,500 in costs. He accepted charges of being a party to another player fixing two matches and betting on matches himself.

Zhang Jiankang

Age: 24. Ranking: 93

Given a ban of two years and 11 months, reduced from four years and five months after his early admissions and guilty plea. He has to pay £7,500 in costs. He accepted charges of fixing a snooker match he played in, betting on matches and not giving the WPBSA information.

Chen Zifan

Age: 27. Ranking: 104

Given a ban of five years, reduced from seven and a half years after his early admissions and guilty plea. He has to pay £7,500 in costs. He accepted charges of fixing or contrived, or being a party to an effort to fix or contrive the result or score of three snooker matches that he played in.

Chang Bingyu

Age: 20 Ranking: 88

Given a ban of two years, reduced from three years after his early admissions and guilty plea. He has to pay £7,500 in costs. He accepted charges of fixing a snooker match he played in.

Zhao Jianbo

Age: 19 Ranking: Amateur

Given a ban of two years and eight months, reduced from three and a half years after his early admissions and guilty plea. He has to pay £7,500 in costs. He accepted charges of fixing a snooker match he played in – and betting on that match.

Bai Langning

Age: 20. Ranking: 130

Given a ban of two years and four months, reduced from four years after his early admissions and guilty plea. He has to pay £7,500 in costs. He accepted charges of fixing a snooker match he played in.