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Must face serious allegations: snooker professional Liang Wenbo
Photo: George Wood / dpa
The “match-fixing” affair about Chinese snooker professionals is entering the next round: As the world association (WPBSA) announced, all ten currently suspended players have been charged as part of a corruption investigation.
They are said to have manipulated games on the world tour.
"Following a thorough investigation by the WPBSA Integrity Department, it has been decided that they must face charges," the world association said.
The players will also remain suspended until further notice - if found guilty, they face lengthy bans.
The WPBSA also announced that an independent disciplinary tribunal had been convened to review the evidence.
Violent allegations against a Chinese
The Chinese Liang Wenbo, 35, is particularly in focus. He is accused of involvement in the collusion of match results, and he is said to have bet on these games himself.
He is also accused of approaching players to manipulate matches.
He had obstructed the investigations into the processes and had not cooperated with the world association.
It's not the Chinese snooker pro's first misstep.
In July 2021, for example, he was filmed by a surveillance camera attacking and hitting a woman.
A trial ensued in which he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a 12-month suspended sentence and a fine for domestic violence.
The manipulation affair about allegedly postponed games had shaken the snooker world around the turn of the year.
It's about agreeing on results and the associated winnings.
In addition to Liang, the accused players include Zhao Xintong, number nine in the world and a kind of foster son of world number one Ronnie O'Sullivan from England.
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