Yan Bingtao was due to play at the English Open on Monday (Picture: Getty Images)
Yan Bingtao is the latest player to be suspended from playing in World Snooker Tour events as a match-fixing investigation continues.
Last week Lu Ning, Li Hang, Zhao Jianbo, Bai Langning and Chang Bingyu were all banned from competing or attending events, with Liang Wenbo hit with a ban in October.
Yan was due to play at the English Open on Monday morning but his opponent was given a walk-over and it has now been confirmed that the former Masters champion is suspended.
A statement 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.
‘No further comment will be made except in the event of any significant further developments.’
A WPBSA statement on Friday 9 December read: ‘WPBSA Chairman Jason Ferguson has taken the decision to suspend Lu Ning, Li Hang, Zhao Jianbo, Bai Langning and Chang Bingyu from attending or competing on the World Snooker Tour with immediate effect.
‘This follows the suspension of Liang Wenbo on 27 October 2022 and a subsequent investigation which remains ongoing into allegations of manipulating the outcome of matches for betting purposes in breach of the WPBSA Conduct Regulations.
‘The suspensions of all six players will remain in place until the conclusion of the investigation or any subsequent charges that may or may not be brought. These players have the right to appeal this decision.
‘The investigation remains ongoing, and no further comment will be made until the investigation is complete.’
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Seven players are now suspended.
