Snooker players currently banned includes former world champion and match-fixers
Snooker players currently banned includes former world champion and match-fixers
Every snooker player currently banned from competing, including an ex-world champion and half of those involved in the match-fixing scandal that rocked the sport to its core
A number of big names have served bans from snooker
(Image:)
The World Snooker Championship is heading towards an exciting finale this weekend.
Seven-time Crucible champion Ronnie O'Sullivan is locked in a battle with Chinese qualifier Zhao Xintong, with the score at 4-4 after the first session. In the other semi, world No.1 Judd Trump is up against three-time world champion Mark Williams, who was trailing 5-3 after the opening session. The semi-finals are set to conclude on Saturday, with the final scheduled for Sunday and Monday.
Other players will be watching from afar after being eliminated earlier in the tournament or failing to qualify. Meanwhile, some are currently serving suspensions handed down by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA). Here's a rundown of the players currently serving snooker bans....
Mark King
King is currently serving a five-year ban after being found guilty of match-fixing. An independent disciplinary committee found the 51-year-old guilty of one count of match-fixing and one count of providing inside information on a match.
The WPBSA suspended the former Northern Ireland Open champion in March 2023 following suspicious betting activity reported on his match with Joe Perry in the previous month's Welsh Open. King was ordered to pay £68,000 in costs.
Two other charges relating to King's match with John Higgins on December 13, 2022 were dismissed. King's suspension runs from March 18, 2023, until March 17, 2028.
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Mark King has three years left to serve on his ban
(Image: Getty )
Graeme Dott
Graeme Dott, 47, who won the World Championship in 2006, has been suspended after being charged with child sex abuse offences involving primary school-age children. A WPBSA statement, issued on the eve of the World Championship, said: "Graeme Dott has been suspended by the WPBSA due to a case which is scheduled to be heard before the High Court in Scotland. Whilst court proceedings are ongoing, it would be inappropriate for the WPBSA to make any further comment."
Match-fixing scandal
Ten Chinese players were handed bans in 2023 following the match-fixing scandal that sent shockwaves through the sport. Punishments varied from suspensions of less than two years to lifetime bans for Liang Wenbo and Li Hang.
The pair were both found guilty of a string of charges, including that they fixed or were party to fixing matches; solicited, induced, enticed, persuaded, encouraged or facilitated players to fix matches; that they attempted to cover up their involvement in match fixing while aware of the enquiry. Five of the other eight players are still serving bans - Lu Ning, Yan Bingtao, Bai Langning, Chen Zifan and Zhang Jiankang.
Zhao Xintong has returned from his ban in style with some superb Crucible showings
(Image: 2025 Getty Images )
Bans served
Zhao, who received the lightest punishment of the 10, saw his 30-month ban reduced to 20 months due to his early admission of guilt. He returned to snooker last year, qualifying for the UK Championship, before coming through qualifying to reach the Crucible. The former UK champion will be back on the tour full-time next season.
Chang Bingyu, who completed his ban in December 2024, will also rejoin the tour next season following his recent victory at the Asia-Pacific Championship. Another player among the 10, Zhao Jianbo, completed his ban this April and is now eligible to resume his career.
Stephen Lee, who was handed a record 12-year ban for accepting payment to influence the outcome of a match, has shown no signs of returning to competitive snooker since his ban expired in October 2024.
Four-time world champion Higgins received a six-month suspension and a £75,000 fine in 2010 for not reporting an illegal approach and for giving the impression that he would breach betting rules. The Scottish legend, the target of a sting by the defunct News of the World newspaper, was exonerated of match-fixing allegations.
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Stephen Lee can play snooker again
(Image: PA )
In 2017, Stuart Bingham was banned for six months for violating WPBSA regulations regarding betting on matches that included himself and other players. The world champion of 2015 was fined £20,000. The WPBSA clarified that there was no indication Bingham intended to "influence matches or engage in any corrupt activity".
Stephen Maguire was banned from IBSF tournaments for three years in 2000 after a hotel room in China was damaged. Despite denying responsibility, the now 44-year-old declined to identify those responsible, according to reports at the time.
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