Snooker star who reached the Xi’an Grand Prix quarter-final hit with lifetime ban.

Snooker star who reached the Xi’an Grand Prix quarter-final hit with lifetime ban.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chinese snooker player Liang Wenbo, once celebrated as one of the sport’s brightest talents and a former World Championship quarter-finalist, has been handed a lifetime ban from professional snooker following a major match-fixing investigation. The decision, announced by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA), marks one of the harshest punishments ever delivered in the sport’s history.

Liang, who reached the quarter-final of the Xi’an Grand Prix earlier in his career and achieved a career-high world ranking of No. 11, was found guilty of multiple breaches of the WPBSA’s integrity rules. The disciplinary tribunal revealed that Liang had not only fixed matches himself but also influenced and encouraged other players to do the same. He was also found to have bet on snooker matches, intimidated fellow players, and attempted to obstruct the investigation by deleting evidence and failing to cooperate with officials.

The WPBSA stated that Liang had fixed or conspired to fix several matches between July and September 2022, and later played a key role in facilitating the fixing of additional matches by other players later that year. The governing body described his actions as “a sustained effort to corrupt the sport for personal gain,” with serious consequences for the integrity of professional snooker.

Alongside the lifetime ban, Liang has been ordered to pay £43,000 in legal costs. The WPBSA emphasized that such penalties are necessary to protect the sport from corruption and to serve as a warning to any player considering similar actions. The Chinese Billiards and Snooker Association (CBSA) has also upheld the lifetime ban, meaning Liang will be barred from all official snooker events worldwide.

WPBSA chairman Jason Ferguson expressed deep disappointment over the findings, stating:

> “This is a heart-breaking case. Liang Wenbo was an experienced player with influence over younger professionals, and it is tragic to see that influence used in such a destructive way. The integrity of snooker is paramount, and we will always take decisive action against corruption.

Liang’s fall from grace has been dramatic. Once admired for his skill and showmanship, he won the English Open in 2016 and represented China in international competitions. However, his reputation began to decline after a 2022 conviction for domestic assault in the UK, which resulted in a community order and suspension from the tour. The subsequent match-fixing investigation effectively ended his career.

The lifetime ban has sparked strong reactions within the snooker community, with many players voicing support for the WPBSA’s firm stance. Analysts believe the decision sends a clear message that match-fixing will not be tolerated under any circumstances, regardless of a player’s status or past achievements.

For Liang Wenbo, the ruling brings an abrupt and permanent end to a once-promising career that began with great potential and international success. For the sport of snooker, it serves as both a warning and a reaffirmation of its commitment to fair play and integrity—values that remain at the core of the games.