Snooker match-fixing scandal: 10 Chinese players including Zhao Xintong and Yan Bingtao to miss Crucible showpiece
- Hearing confirmed to begin on April 24 for players charged with activities including fixing, betting on and seeking to manipulate matches
- Zhao Xintong and Yan Bingtao, who would have been in contention to win the World Championship, among those who must miss the tournament
Zhao Xintong and Yan Bingtao – who would have been contenders for the title as they vied to become China’s first world champion – must miss the tournament in Sheffield as a consequence, along with the other accused players.
Their hearing will begin on April 24, the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) said on Thursday when it released details, confirming a clash with the World Championship, to be held at the Crucible Theatre from April 15 to May 1.
Snooker was plunged into its biggest corruption crisis when the 10 players were charged in January with a range of activities including fixing matches, approaching players to manipulate matches and betting on matches, following an investigation by the integrity unit of the sport’s governing body.
The WPBSA said that the players would remain suspended until the outcome is published, meaning that they will not take part in any remaining World Snooker Tour events this season.
