Snooker title-winner who beat three world champions got hit with ban until 2027

The promising snooker star was one of 10 Chinese players slapped with varying bans in June 2023 following a match-fixing scandal that rocked the sport's community

View 2 Images

A snooker prodigy who beat three world champions to bag a £250,000 prize is still barred from the sport. Yan Bingtao was one of 10 Chinese players hit with bans in June 2023 following a match-fixing scandal that rocked the snooker world.

The punishments varied, with now-world champion Zhao Xintong also slapped with a ban of one year and eight months, while Liang Wenbo and Li Hang, identified as the brains behind the operation, were given lifetime bans after being found guilty of multiple offences.

These included match-fixing and pressuring other players into manipulating matches. Of the remaining eight players, five, including Yan, are still serving their suspensions.

Yan was banned for five years for fixing four matches and betting on several others between 2016 and 2022. His initial seven-year and six-month ban was reduced due to his early admission and guilty plea.

The scandal put a halt to Yan's promising career. He had already won the Masters in 2021, one of the sport's most coveted titles.

Competing in a behind-closed-doors event in Milton Keynes, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Yan defeated three world champions. Neil Robertson, Stuart Bingham and John Higgins all fell to him.

At just 20, Yan became only the second Chinese player to win the tournament after Ding Junhui in 2011. He was also the youngest ever player to clinch the prestigious invitational event since Ronnie O'Sullivan did in 1995.

Yan created quite a stir at the 2022 World Championship as well. He knocked out four-time champion Mark Selby in the second round and almost made it to the semi-finals before suffering a tight 13-11 defeat to Mark Williams in the quarters.

But the 25-year-old won't be back on the professional snooker circuit for over two more years yet as his ban runs until December 2027. Zhao Xintong, Chang Bingyu and Zhao Jianbo have already served their suspensions.

Chang is expected to return to the pro tour next season after claiming the Asia-Pacific Championship once his suspension ended in December last year. Zhao Jianbo's ban finished last month.

View 2 Images

After his 17-12 victory over Williams in the Crucible final, Zhao Xintong has emerged as a celebrated figure in snooker and a hero in his homeland.

Looking back on his time away, which concluded in September 2024, Zhao said: "I had nearly two years not playing in tour competitions.

"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."

Zhao's triumph over Williams represented his ninth victory in the tournament, establishing a new record for any world champion. Since returning from suspension, Zhao has amassed an incredible tally of 47 wins in 49 matches.