Why Was Zhao Xintong Banned from Snooker?
Reigning snooker world champion Zhao Xintong faced a significant suspension from the sport, a chapter that preceded his historic victory at the Crucible. The ban, imposed by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA), stemmed from violations of conduct regulations, highlighting a broader scandal that rocked professional snooker.
Details of the Offence and Suspension
Zhao Xintong was not charged with fixing matches himself, but he accepted charges related to being party to another player who fixed two matches in March 2022. Additionally, he admitted to betting on snooker matches between 2019 and 2022, a direct breach of WPBSA Conduct Regulations. Originally handed a 30-month suspension, his ban was reduced to one year and eight months due to early admissions and a guilty plea. The suspension officially expired on September 1, 2024, and he was ordered to pay £7,500 toward investigation costs.
Broader Scandal and Governing Body Response
The scandal resulted in the disqualification of 10 players, including former Masters champion Yan Bingtao, who received a five-year suspension. Liang Wenbo and Li Hang were banned for life for soliciting and enticing younger players to fix results and attempting to cover up evidence. WPBSA Chairman Jason Ferguson described the case as "heartbreaking," noting that young players were pressured by senior peers. The governing body emphasised that severe penalties sent a clear message that corruption would not be tolerated in professional snooker.
Zhao's Personal Statement and Comeback
Following the ban, Zhao expressed deep remorse on social media, admitting that living alone in the UK led him to choose betting to pass the time. He claimed he was not brave enough to refuse a close friend’s request and regretted not reporting the fix to authorities. After his ban expired, Zhao returned to the sport via the amateur Q Tour, where he quickly demonstrated his class, climbing the amateur rankings and earning qualification for major professional events.
Historic 2025 World Championship Win
In a landmark moment for snooker, Zhao became the first Chinese player to win the World Snooker Championship on May 5, 2025. He defeated Mark Williams 18-12 in the final at the Crucible, securing the title and rising to 11th in the world rankings. This triumph marked a remarkable comeback from his suspension.
2026 Tournament Schedule
The 2026 Halo World Snooker Championship is scheduled from April 18 to May 4 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. This event marks the 50th consecutive year the championship has been held at this iconic venue, concluding the 2025-26 professional season.
