Snooker is a niche sport, unlike basketball, football, volleyball has received high attention, but there are many well-known snooker athletes in China, 36-year-old Ding Junhui is the most famous, in 2014, Ding Junhui ranked No. 1 in the world, creating an Asian record, and is also the pride of everyone's mind. Young snooker players such as Zhao Xintong and Yan Bingtao are also highly anticipated. But regrettably, in October last year, 10 Chinese snooker players were suspected of manipulating matches and participating in match-fixing, a scandal that shocked the entire industry.
After the incident was exposed, the World Federation decided to temporarily ban 10 Chinese snooker players, and then the hearing began, and in June 2023, not only the hearing was over, but now the outcome of the case was officially released. For the Chinese snooker industry, this is a huge blow, because it is estimated that several players will be forced to retire early.
From the media people's revelations, it can be seen that among the 10 Chinese players, Liang Wenbo and Li Xing were banned for life, which is also the first time in the history of snooker that there has been a heavy fine for lifetime ban, which is enough to see that the World Federation is really angry. Moreover, the two men also have to pay 43,000 pounds. Liang Wenbo and Li Xing are both snooker superstars, and now it seems that these two have ended their careers early, and they will not be able to participate in snooker as professional players for the rest of their lives, and they must regret it now, but it is too late.
Lu Ning was banned for 8 years, pleading guilty better, and the ban was shortened to 5 years and 4 months, ending on April 6, 2028, paying £7,500. Chen Zifan's ban for 7 years and 6 months has now been shortened to 5 years, paying £7,500. Zhang Jiankang's ban for 4 years and 5 months was shortened to 2 years and 11 months, paying £7,500. Browning's four-year ban was shortened to 2 years and 8 months, paying £7,500. Zhao Jianbo was banned for 3 years and 6 months, shortened to 2 years and 4 months, and paid £7,500. Chang Bingyu was banned for 3 years, shortened to 2 years, and paid a fee of £7,500.
Everyone is most concerned about Yan Bingtao and Zhao Xintong, both rising stars and the hope of Chinese snooker. The 23-year-old was severely fined, suspended for 7 years and 6 months, shortened to 5 years after early admission and guilty plea, and the ban period ended on December 11, 2027, paying £7,500. Yan Bingtao has been banned for 5 years, he may retire early, after all, if he is not allowed to participate in the competition for 5 consecutive years, he will most likely consider changing careers.
Zhao Xintong's career is likely to continue, he is 26 years old, although he was banned for 1 month and 8 months, he can sign up for the competition after September 1, 2024, and 1 year later, Zhao Xintong will be 27 years old. Zhao Xintong definitely hopes to continue his career, but his reputation is ruined, and in this industry, others may look at him differently, and I don't know if Zhao Xintong can stick to it.
In short, for the entire Chinese sports world, this is a memorable lesson that must be taken as a warning. The anti-corruption and match-fixing cases in the football arena are still ongoing, and there has been a big mess in the snooker field, which is really speechless. It's really time for the sports world to rectify, athletes have a high image in everyone's mind, but now, it is estimated that many people will be disappointed.