Ten Chinese players face match-fixing charges as snooker’s governing body investigates the sport’s biggest corruption scandal.
The allegations include manipulating games, approaching players to cheat, betting on snooker and fixing a match.
In October, Liang Wenbo was suspended by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA).
Nine others followed, including 2021 Masters champion Yan Bingtao and UK Championship winner Zhao Xintong.
Both players were barred from competing in last week’s Masters.
Players found guilty of the charges against them will face a lengthy ban from the sport.
Most of the players have not commented publicly on the allegations, although Wenbo has reportedly denied match-fixing.
An independent hearing will now be convened to consider the evidence.
There is not a separate police investigation at this stage.
“These players are from China. At some point, if found guilty, they will return to their home country and it is still possible that criminal prosecution could take place outside of the sport in China,” WPBSA chairman Jason Ferguson told BBC Sport.
Shaun Murphy, the 2005 world champion, said it would feel like a “complete betrayal” if players had cheated.
Credit: bbc.com
