Snooker ace who played in World Championship was handed lifetime ban from the sport
Snooker ace who played in World Championship was handed lifetime ban from the sport
Liang Wenbo's career was poised to reach great heights after he made a surprise run to the quarter-finals of the 2008 World Championship, but it was cut short after he was found guilty of match-fixing
Liang Wenbo was banished from snooker for match-fixing
(Image: Getty Images )
Despite a once promising future, Liang Wenbo was permanently expelled from snooker after being convicted of multiple match-fixing offences.
The 38-year-old was suspended in 2022 alongside nine other Chinese players in what is considered snooker's most significant corruption scandal. Other players who received bans include Yan Bingtao, Chen Zifan, Zhang Jiankang, Bai Langning, Li Hang, Zhao Jianbo, Chang Bingyu, and 2025 World Championship finalist Zhao Xintong.
The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) issued suspensions ranging from 20 months to five years and four months to eight players. However, the harshest penalties were given to Liang and Li, who received lifetime bans from snooker.
Liang first made waves in 2008 when he unexpectedly reached the quarter-finals of the World Championships, where he lost 13-7 to Ronnie O'Sullivan. He secured one ranking title during his career at the English Open in 2016, defeating Judd Trump.
However, his career was abruptly ended due to allegations of fixing or involvement in fixing five snooker matches between July and September 2022, charges for which he was later found guilty. He was also discovered to have encouraged fellow players to fix nine matches and violated additional rules by placing bets on matches.
Liang, who reached a career-best world ranking of No. 11 in 2016, was ranked No. 72 when his ban came into effect. It was also revealed that he had threatened another player and failed to cooperate with the investigation by the ranking body, even going as far as deleting messages from his phone.
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WPBSA chairman Jason Ferguson commented on the case, saying: "This has been a very complex case. It has been heartbreaking to see some young talented players fall foul of the WPBSA conduct regulations through pressure exerted by two senior players.
Liang achieved a career high ranking of No. 11 in 2016
(Image: Getty Images )
"This behaviour has been recognised as wholly unacceptable by the imposition of two lifetime bans from participating in recognised snooker in any way.
"Those who try to corrupt sport are constantly trying to find new ways to avoid our monitoring processes and this outcome must be taken as a lesson to those who think they can avoid detection.
"If any player is involved in fixing a snooker match, they will be caught and will face severe penalties. I am pleased that the commission found that they did not see from the present case 'any evidence of a wider culture of wrongdoing in snooker'.
Zhao is now competing in his first World Snooker Championship final
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"The WPBSA will continue its strong stance against those who try to manipulate sport and today's outcome sends out a clear message that match fixing will not be tolerated in snooker."
Zhao, who is currently leading Mark Williams in the Crucible final, made a return to snooker in September 2024 after serving a 20-month sentence. Although the Chinese star was not convicted of match-fixing himself, he pled guilty to being involved while another player fixed two matches and personally betting on games.
In addition to his sentence, Zhao was also ordered to pay £7,500 in costs. He secured his first ranking title and Triple Crown at the 2021 UK Championship, defeating Belgian star Luca Brecel 10-5 in the final. His second triumph came at the 2022 German Masters where he defeated compatriot Yan.
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