Former Masters champion Yan Bingtao has been banned from the World Snooker Tour until 2027 following an investigation into match-fixing, the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) has announced.
The Chinese world number 16 was suspended with immediate effect as the WPBSA continues to examine allegations that matches were manipulated for betting purposes. The suspension will remain in place until the conclusion of the investigation or any subsequent charges.
Yan joins five other Chinese players – Lu Ning, Li Hang, Zhao Jianbo, Bai Langning and Chang Bingyu – who were suspended last week pending the outcome of the investigation. Liang Wenbo was banned in October.
The WPBSA stated: 'This decision is part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of manipulating the outcome of matches for betting purposes in breach of the WPBSA conduct regulations.' Yan has the right to appeal the decision.
Yan, who won the Masters in 2021, had been due to play in the English Open this week but his first-round opponent, Ashley Hugill, was awarded a walkover.
