Yan Bingtao, who won The Masters in 2021, becomes sixth Chinese player suspended by World Snooker this week amid ongoing match-fixing investigation; 22-year-old was due to play at English Open this week but has been withdrawn
Monday 12 December 2022 16:44, UK
Former Masters champion Yan Bingtao has been suspended from the World Snooker Tour amid an ongoing investigation into match-fixing.
World No 16 Yan, who won the Masters at Alexandra Palace in January 2021, is the sixth Chinese player suspended in the past two weeks as the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) continues to probe allegations.
Lu Ning, Li Hang, Zhao Jianbo, Bai Langning and Chang Bingyu were banned last week. The WPBSA said they could appeal that decision and the same now applies to Yan.
A statement on Monday read: "WPBSA chairman Jason Ferguson has taken the decision to suspend Yan Bingtao from attending or competing on the World Snooker Tour with immediate effect.
"This decision is part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of manipulating the outcome of matches for betting purposes in breach of the WPBSA conduct regulations.
"The suspension will remain in place until the conclusion of the investigation or any subsequent charges that may or may not be brought. Yan Bingtao has the right to appeal this decision."
Yan had been due to play in the English Open this week but first-round opponent Ashley Hugill was awarded a walkover.
Yan was set to play Mark Williams in the first round of the 2023 Masters in January but will now likely be replaced in the draw.
