Yan Bingtao Banned Until 2027 Amid Match-Fixing Scandal

Chinese snooker players, including Yan Bingtao and Zhao Xintong, have faced significant bans following a major match-fixing scandal that shook the sport in 2023. Yan Bingtao, a former Masters champion and rising star, is serving a five-year suspension for fixing matches and betting, with his return not expected until the 2028/29 season. Zhao Xintong, who recently made history as the first Asian World Snooker Champion, was previously banned for 20 months for involvement in the scandal but was allowed to compete after his early guilty plea. Ringleaders Liang Wenbo and Li Hang received lifetime bans for orchestrating the operation and pressuring others to participate. The scandal abruptly ended several promising careers and cast a shadow over recent achievements, highlighting ongoing integrity challenges within professional snooker. Some players, like Chang Bingyu and Zhao Jianbo, have returned to competition after serving their suspensions.