Zhao Xintong: Former UK Championship winner suspended as two more caught up in snooker match-fixing probe

Former UK Championship winner Zhao Xintong and fellow Chinese player Zhang Jiankang have become the latest players to be suspended in the snooker match-fixing investigation, taking the total number to 10.

Zhao, who won the UK title last season and has drawn high praise from the likes of Ronnie O’Sullivan, was due to play at the upcoming Masters. The 25-year-old was scheduled to face world No. 2 Mark Selby in the last 16 on Sunday.

Zhang, 24, has never progressed beyond the fourth round at a ranking tournament, twice reaching that stage at the 2019 Scottish Open and 2021 British Open. Both players have the right to appeal their suspension.

A statement from the WPBSA said: “The wider investigation is now at an advanced stage, and it is anticipated will be completed shortly at which point any potential charges will be considered.”

“Every ball you pot must mean something. But we do know from legal advice that lifetime bans do not stack up in court. It’s completely challengeable.

“We have in our rules that players may receive up to a lifetime ban, if found guilty of match-fixing or manipulating results, but there has to be a range.”