Title: The Snooker Scandal: Zhao Xintong and Zhang Jianjian Suspended, More Under Investigation
In a recent statement, the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) announced that former British champion Zhao Xintong, 25, and his countryman, Zhang Jianjian, 24, have been temporarily barred from participating in the World Snooker Tour. This decision stems from an ongoing investigation into alleged match-fixing scandals that violate the WPBSA's code of conduct.
The suspension remains active until the investigation concludes or new charges are brought forth. Zhao, currently ranked ninth in the world, will miss the prestigious Masters tournament in London this Sunday, one of the sport's most significant annual events.
CNN reached out to both players for comments, but neither responded publicly regarding the Ermittlungen. Liang Wenbo, the former number 11, was the first Chinese player sanctioned in October due to these investigations. Seven other Chinese players were suspended in December, including 2021 Masters champion Yan Bingtao.
Concrete details regarding individual players' allegations remain unclear, as well as the origins of the initial accusation. The WPBSA release confirmed that a comprehensive investigation is underway and concluding soon, at which point potential charges will be reviewed.
The Chinese Billiards and Snooker Association (CBSA) issued a statement on Tuesday, denouncing manipulations, gambling, and other behaviors infringing on the sport's integrity and ethics. They will assess consequences based on the ultimate findings of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association's investigation.
Snooker shares many similarities with American pool, as it is a two-player game with cues playing on a large green table. The objective is to alternatively hit the white ball, pot red balls (each worth 1 point), and sink six differently colored balls (worth 2 to 7 points) using ball pockets. Player with the highest point tally wins a round and progresses towards championship titles.
Traditionally dominated by British and U.S. athletes, the influx of Chinese talent has significantly boosted the sport's popularity within China in recent years.
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As of January 2023, the latest updates on the match-fixing scandal involve Zhao Xintong, a prominent Chinese snooker player, who was suspended as part of an investigation involving ten Chinese players. Zhao was charged with being involved in fixing matches on the World Snooker Tour and betting on the sport.
Following an independent disciplinary tribunal, Zhao was banned from professional competition until 1 September 2024. Initially, the Chinese Billiards and Snooker Association (CBSA) implemented a 30-month ban, but the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) clarified that this extended ban only pertained to events sanctioned by the CBSA, not others overseen by the WPBSA.
Consequently, Zhao became eligible to return to the Q Tour, a qualifier for the main professional tour, as soon as his WPBSA ban expired on 1 September 2024. Zhao went on to win four consecutive Q Tour events, securing his return to the World Snooker Tour for the 2025–26 season by topping the Q Tour Europe rankings list.
As of now, there has been no recent update disclosed in the sources regarding potential sanctions against additional players beyond Zhao Xintong. The investigation and consequences seem to be focused primarily on Zhao and the initial group of ten players involved in the match-fixing scandal.
