The world of professional snooker has been rocked once again as former Masters champion Yan Bingtao faces a lengthy exclusion from the sport, with his ban set to last until the end of 2027. The Chinese star was one of ten players from his country implicated in a widespread match-fixing scandal that sent shockwaves through the game.
The Scandal and Its Key Players
In 2023, Yan Bingtao was found guilty of fixing four separate matches and placing bets on several others between 2016 and 2022. His initial suspension of seven years and six months was reduced to a four-year ban after he confessed early and entered a guilty plea. The scandal also ensnared high-profile names, including current world champion Zhao Xintong, who received a suspension of one year and eight months.
The most severe punishments were handed to Liang Wenbo and Li Hang, who received lifetime bans from the sport. They were convicted not only of match-fixing but also of coercing other players into manipulating matches. Of the ten players originally sanctioned, five, including Yan, are still serving their suspensions.
A Meteoric Rise Cut Short
Yan Bingtao's fall from grace is particularly stark given his phenomenal early success. At just 20 years old, he triumphed at the Masters in 2021, becoming the youngest winner since Ronnie O'Sullivan in 1995 and only the second Chinese player to lift the trophy after Ding Junhui. His victory saw him defeat snooker greats like Neil Robertson, Stuart Bingham, and John Higgins.
His form remained blistering in the lead-up to the scandal. In the 2022 World Championship, he knocked out Mark Selby in the second round and came agonisingly close to the semi-finals, eventually losing 13-11 to Mark Williams in the quarter-finals. The 25-year-old, who turns 26 soon, will not be eligible to return to professional competition until December 2027.
Recovery and Return for Some
While Yan's exile continues, other players involved have already served their time. Zhao Xintong, Chang Bingyu, and Zhao Jianbo have completed their suspensions and returned to the tour. In a remarkable comeback story, Zhao Xintong defied the odds to become world champion last year after his ban ended.
Reflecting on his enforced break, Zhao Xintong said: "I had nearly two years not playing in tour competitions and that's why I said my first target was to get through qualifying to the Crucible. I can't believe I went on to be champion, but I am back now and I want to keep going." Chang Bingyu secured his return via the Asia-Pacific Championship after his ban expired in December 2024.
The scandal cast a long shadow over Chinese snooker, but the resilience shown by players like Zhao Xintong offers a path forward. For Yan Bingtao, however, the wait to resume a once-promising career continues for several more years.
