China’s Zhao Xintong set for snooker comeback after serving 20-month match-fixing ban
Zhao was one of 10 Chinese players suspended following an investigation into corruption in the sport
China’s Zhao Xintong is set to make his snooker comeback at the end of September after serving a 20-month ban for his part in the sport’s biggest match-fixing scandal.
Zhao was one of 10 Chinese players handed heavy bans last year following an investigation into corruption in the sport.
The 27-year-old’s suspension, effective from January 2023, ran until September 1 this year, and he has entered the Q Tour event in the Bulgarian capital of Sofia, which starts on September 20. Q Tour is the premier qualifying circuit for the elite World Snooker Tour.
Zhao, whose penalty was the lowest of the 10 players involved in the scandal, has been drawn against Vilius Schulte-Ebbert. He remains suspended in China until 2025, but has been cleared to play elsewhere, the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) has confirmed.
“The Chinese Billiards and Snooker Association has now confirmed that their sanction only applies to mainland China and that Zhao Xintong is permitted to play in events outside China from the end of his WPBSA suspension,” a statement from the body said.
“Zhao will have served the suspension imposed by the Independent Disciplinary Commission by September 1, 2024, and he has paid his costs order. This means that he is eligible to play in WPBSA-governed events from September 2, 2024.”
