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Daily Record
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Snooker star whose wife is World Championship referee gets new job away from the table
Ben Woollaston, who caused one of the biggest upsets at the 2025 World Championship by knocking out fellow Leicester star Mark Selby, has landed a new role with snooker's governing body Snooker star Ben Woollaston, the husband of a leading referee, has secured a new role after achieving his best-ever result at the World Championship. The Leicester potter reached the second round after pulling off a major upset by defeating Mark Selby before being eliminated by Si Jiahui in a 13-10 loss. Woollaston's wife, Tatiana, refereed at the Crucible this year, having made her debut at snooker's premier event in 2020. She also took charge of last season's UK Championship final in York. Naturally, she is not permitted to officiate her husband's matches, not that she would want. She said last year:"I don't spend time with Ben while he's practising to help me refereeing-wise. "He's on the circuit as a player, I'm on the circuit as a referee. We've never really mix that. I'm obviously not allowed to referee his games and I wouldn't want to, to be fair." Away from snooker, Tatiana works as a merchandiser at the head office of clothing retailer Next. Meanwhile, her husband has also taken on a new role away from the table, having been appointed to the WPBSA's governance board. The sport's governing body announced on Wednesday that Woollaston had been appointed as a non-executive director with immediate effect. WPBSA chairman Jason Ferguson said: "We are pleased to welcome Ben to the WPBSA board, which follows his election to the board of WPBSA players last December. "A professional for over 20 years, Ben has just enjoyed arguably the best season of his career, highlighted by his memorable victory against four-time world champion Mark Selby at the World Championship. Ben is ideally suited to this new role, as a player of great integrity and who is well thought of by his peers. "It has been positive to see him take a keen interest in coaching in recent years, becoming one of our WPBSA 1st4sport Level 2 Coaches and sharing his knowledge with aspiring players of all levels." Meanwhile, Woollaston, 38, said: "I am pleased to join the board of WPBSA Governance and be able to provide representation for player issues at the highest level of our sport. "As a professional snooker player for over 20 years, I have been privileged to see first-hand the development of our sport during that time and to live the highs and lows of competing on the World Snooker Tour. "I look forward to sharing my experience with the team at the WPBSA and to helping shape the future development of our sport, from grassroots level to the professional circuit." The governance board is chiefly tasked with the overall direction and management of the WPBSA, the global governing body for snooker and billiards. Woollaston joins the board as the second player-director alongside Mark Davis, who was appointed in January. The duo will work in tandem with Ferguson, vice-chairman and director Nigel Mawer and governance director Nigel Oldfield.
Wales Online
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Zhao Xintong shows his true character despite still being banned from snooker in China
Zhao Xintong shows his true character despite still being banned from snooker in China Zhao Xintong became the first Asian player to win the World Snooker Championship earlier this month - but he is still banned from competing in his native China Zhao Xintong has big plans this year (Image: undefined via Getty Images ) Zhao Xintong is currently unable to pursue his dream of winning a tournament in China due to an ongoing snooker ban. The 28-year-old made history earlier this month by becoming the first Asian player to win the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible thanks to an 18-12 win over Mark Williams. However, he remains barred from competing in his home country. The world championship was only Zhao's second professional tournament since returning from a suspension related to a match-fixing investigation involving 10 players, which dates back to January 2023. The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) reduced his initial 30-month ban to 20 months after it was established that, while he had knowingly placed bets on fixed games, he had not personally fixed any matches. Despite being permitted to compete globally, the Chinese Billiards and Snooker Association (CBSA) has upheld the original ban, meaning Zhao is still prohibited from competing in China until 1 July 2025. Since his triumph at the World Snooker Championship, Zhao has spent time in his homeland and expressed his determination to build on his success next season. As a former UK Open winner, Zhao is now just a Masters win away from achieving the coveted Triple Crown, and he is also eager to lift a trophy on Chinese soil. Setting his sights on becoming the first Chinese or Asian player to win a snooker title on home soil, he told the South China Morning Post: "No Chinese or Asian player has been able to embroider that little crown on their waistcoat so far. Article continues below "So I think this is one of my goals. I will do my best to play well in every match and tournament, but I want to hoist a trophy in China – this is something I have yet to do. I am also looking forward to playing in the World Grand Prix in Hong Kong next year. I want to achieve good results here, preferably winning it, and I'd be very happy." With his suspension ending before the new snooker season, Zhao could potentially realise his dream at the Shanghai Masters, scheduled from July 28 to August 3, reports the Express. Since relocating to England in 2016, Zhao, known as 'The Cyclone', has acknowledged the positive impact Sheffield has had on his career. World snooker champion Zhao Xintong is banned from competing in China (Image: (Image: OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) ) Article continues below He also believes his world title victory could significantly influence snooker's growth in China. Reflecting on his World Championship triumph and its implications, Zhao said: "I haven't quite thought about what's different for me as a player after winning the World Championship. "Everything is just starting and I am convinced that there is more to come, and I have to do more and bring glory to China. The win was also a breakthrough for snooker in China – because this had not been done before by any Chinese player, I think the younger generation will now be more confident and motivated." Just a few weeks following the Shanghai Masters, snooker fans can look forward to more action from China with the Wuhan Open set for August 24-30. Zhao also shared his anticipation for next year's World Grand Prix, scheduled to take place in Hong Kong from February 3-8.
Daily Mirror
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Zhao Xintong shows true colours as he shares ambition once snooker ban ends
Zhao Xintong became the first Asian player to win the World Snooker Championship earlier this month, but is still unable to compete in his homeland of China Newly crowned world snooker champion Zhao Xintong is currently unable to realise his dream of winning a tournament in China due to an ongoing ban. The 28-year-old made history earlier this month by becoming the first Asian player to clinch the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible, but he remains barred from competing in his home country. The world championship was only Zhao's second professional tournament since returning from a suspension linked to a match-fixing investigation involving 10 players, which dates back to January 2023. His initial 30-month ban was reduced to 20 months by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) after it was established that, while he had knowingly placed bets on fixed games, he hadn't personally rigged any matches. Despite being cleared to compete globally, the Chinese Billiards and Snooker Association (CBSA) has upheld the original ban, meaning Zhao is still not permitted to compete in China until 1 July 2025. Since his triumphant win at the World Snooker Championship, Zhao has spent time in his homeland and expressed his determination to build on his success next season, reports the Express. As a former UK Open winner, Zhao is just a Masters win away from securing the coveted Triple Crown, and he's also eager to lift a trophy on Chinese soil. On his ambitions, he told the South China Morning Post: "No Chinese or Asian player has been able to embroider that little crown on their waistcoat so far. "So I think this is one of my goals. I will do my best to play well in every match and tournament, but I want to hoist a trophy in China – this is something I have yet to do. "I am also looking forward to playing in the World Grand Prix in Hong Kong next year. I want to achieve good results here, preferably winning it, and I'd be very happy." Zhao won't have to wait long to chase his dreams, as his suspension lifts with the new season's dawn, possibly making the Shanghai Masters (July 28-August 3) his ticket to triumph. Since settling in England back in 2016 and embracing Sheffield's impact on his career, 'The Cyclone' muses over his World Championship victory's ripple effect, lifting the aspirations of China's budding snooker talents. He said: "I haven't quite thought about what's different for me as a player after winning the World Championship. Everything is just starting and I am convinced that there is more to come, and I have to do more and bring glory to China. "The win was also a breakthrough for snooker in China – because this had not been done before by any Chinese player, I think the younger generation will now be more confident and motivated." Just a few weeks following the Shanghai Masters, snooker fans can look forward to more action from China with the Wuhan Open set for August 24-30. Zhao also expressed his anticipation for next year's World Grand Prix, scheduled to take place in Hong Kong from February 3-8.
BBC News
14-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
King loses appeal against snooker match-fixing ban
Snooker player Mark King has lost his appeal against a five-year ban for was handed the ban in November 2024 after an independent disciplinary committee found the Englishman guilty of one count of match-fixing and one count of providing inside information on a former Northern Ireland Open champion was suspended by the sport's world governing body, the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA), on 18 March was after suspicious betting was reported on his match against Joe Perry on 13 February that year at the Welsh Open, which King lost 4-0. Perry was not accused of any was ordered to pay over £68,000 in costs and banned from the sport for five 51, contested the punishment and his appeal was heard by an independent appeals committee on 8-9 April former world number 11 presented four points to be heard within his appeal, one of which he chose to abandon at the start of the stated that bettors placing large sums on 4-1 and 4-2, as well as the actual result of 4-0, weakened the argument that he had agreed to lose also argued that his relationship with one of the people connected to the betting was he complained that the disciplinary committee reached a number of wrong conclusions surrounding his form and an injury he was suffering with going into the match against Perry."Nowhere in this appeal has it been demonstrated that a factual decision is so wrong it could not have been reached, or an evaluative decision is so wrong that it can be said to be unreasonable," the independent appeals committee's final report added: "In our view the committee reached reasonable, rational, logical, clear and reasoned conclusions based on all of the evidence which they clearly considered carefully and we find no reason to interfere with the conclusions it reached."King will be eligible for a return to the sport in March 2028.
Wales Online
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Snooker star Mark King loses appeal against five-year ban and £68k fine for match fixing
Snooker star Mark King loses appeal against five-year ban and £68k fine for match fixing Mark King was handed a five-year ban from snooker in November 2024 after being found guilty of one count of match fixing and one count of providing inside information Mark King's ban has been upheld (Image: (Image: Getty.) ) Snooker ace Mark King has had his appeal dismissed after being convicted of match fixing and providing inside information, meaning his five-year ban remains in place. The 51-year-old was suspended last November following suspicious betting activity during his match against Joe Perry at the 2023 Welsh Open. Perry, however, was not implicated in any wrongdoing. King refuted the charges and appealed the decision. However, the former world No. 11's appeal has been unsuccessful. He did not attend the hearing in person. Two other charges related to King's match with John Higgins on 13 December 2022 were dropped during the initial independent disciplinary committee's findings. King, who suffered a 4-0 defeat by Perry in Llandudno, maintained his innocence, arguing that numerous bets were also placed on a 4-2 or 4-1 loss. He suggested that if the result had been prearranged, bettors would have only wagered on a 4-0 outcome. The Essex-born snooker star also claimed that the original investigation failed to consider that he was nursing a finger injury during the match. Nonetheless, the committee dismissed King's claims and expressed that it was "concerned by the number of online and in-store bettors who could be linked." It discovered that these bettors had no previous history of betting on snooker, that accounts were created specifically to bet on the Perry match, and that some accounts were not used by the individuals who had opened them. Article continues below Mark King during his Welsh Open match with Joe Perry (Image: (Image: Getty) ) The WPBSA concluded its inquiries into King after receiving a tip-off that he was compensated £15,000 by an unidentified source to intentionally lose matches against Perry and Higgins. Although it expanded its probe to include the latter match, allegations linked to the match with Higgins were not substantiated. In a statement, the WPBSA announced: "On November 7, 2024, the Independent Disciplinary Committee delivered its final decision in the case of the WPBSA and Mark King. He was found guilty of one count of match fixing and one count of providing inside information on his match played against Joe Perry on February 13, 2023. He was suspended from the sport for five years and ordered to pay £68,299.50 in costs. "Mark King appealed the decision of the Independent Disciplinary Committee and on April 8, 2025, his appeal was heard by an Independent Appeals Committee chaired by Philip Evans KC. "On May 13, 2025, the Independent Appeals Committee issued its decision on the appeal. Mr King's appeal has been refused and the findings against Mr King regarding his match with Joe Perry and in relation to the sanction that was imposed at the original hearing will stand. A decision regarding the costs of the appeal will be made in due course." King was suspended last November, and will be banned until 2028 Article continues below Back in November, WPBSA chairman Jason Ferguson conveyed a sense of duty that accompanies the sport's growth, saying in a statement: "The global expansion of this sport brings with it great responsibility, both for our players and for the WPBSA as the sport's world governing body. I have known Mark King since he was very young, he is a very experienced player who has enjoyed great success, and I am deeply saddened to read the finding in this case. "However, the integrity of this sport will always be our No. 1 priority. This case is testament to the fact that no stone will ever be left unturned in ensuring that the hundreds of millions of snooker fans worldwide, and our many global partners, can have full confidence in this incredible sport." King is now set to serve a suspension that spans from March 18, 2023, to March 17, 2028.
