Snooker players Zhao Xintong and Zhang Jiankang were suspended by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WTBF) and the Chinese Billiards Association on the 3rd.
The World Table Tennis Federation and the Chinese Billiards Association issued a suspension statement on the two players on the 3rd.
The World Taiwan Federation stated in a statement that Jason Ferguson, chairman of the World Taiwan Federation, has decided to suspend Zhao Xintong and Zhang Jiankang from participating in the World Snooker Tournament, and this decision will take effect immediately.
The decision is part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of match-fixing in violation of the World Taiwan Federation's code of conduct.
Both have the right to appeal the decision.
The China Billiards Association stated in a statement that according to the World Table Tennis Federation's notification, as well as the "China Billiards Association Disciplinary Guidelines and Punishment Measures" and "China Billiards Association Professional Players Committee Management Regulations", starting from January 3, 2023, Zhao Xintong and Zhang Zhang will be suspended. Healthy all domestic billiards competition qualifications.
The China Billiards Association stated that it firmly opposes game manipulation, gambling and other acts that violate sports integrity and ethics, and will make further punishments based on the final investigation results of the World Taiwan Federation.
In the current world rankings of the World Taiwan Federation, Zhao Xintong ranks ninth, the highest-ranked Chinese player at this stage, and Zhang Jiankang ranks 82nd.
In December 2021, Zhao Xintong defeated Belgian player Brechel in the final of the British Snooker Championship and won his first ranking championship.
His second ranking championship was won in the Snooker German Masters in January 2022, when he defeated Yan Bingtao 9:0 in the final.
(CCTV news client)