Snooker in chaos with Yan Bingtao latest star to be suspended from playing in World Tour amid match-fixing investigation
YAN BINGTAO became the latest player to be suspended from the World Snooker Tour events amid an ongoing match-fixing investigation.
Yan, 22, was expected to compete at the English Open on Monday before it was confirmed he received a ban, which he can appeal.
Yan Bingtao has become the latest snooker star to be suspendedPA
Snooker star Yan Bingtao has been hit with a ban which he can appealGetty
Thus, the former Masters champion’s opponent Ashley Hugill was given a walk-over and moved to the next round automatically.
A statement 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.”
This comes after Lu Ning, Li Hang, Zhao Jianbo, Bai Langning and Chang Bingyu were also suspended last week.
Liang Wenbo was also banned in October from competing or attending snooker events.
A recent WPBSA statement read: “WPBSA Chairman Jason Ferguson has taken the decision to suspend Lu Ning, Li Hang, Zhao Jianbo, Bai Langning and Chang Bingyu from attending or competing on the World Snooker Tour with immediate effect.
“This follows the suspension of Liang Wenbo on 27 October 2022 and a subsequent investigation which remains ongoing into allegations of manipulating the outcome of matches for betting purposes in breach of the WPBSA Conduct Regulations.
“The suspensions of all six players will remain in place until the conclusion of the investigation or any subsequent charges that may or may not be brought. These players have the right to appeal this decision.
“The investigation remains ongoing, and no further comment will be made until the investigation is complete.”
