Chinese snooker players banned for match-fixing

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Chinese snooker player Yu Delu and Cao Yupeng have been banned after both pleaded guilty to match-fixing, the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) announced on Saturday.

31-year-old Yu Delu has been banned for ten years and nine months for engaging in "deliberate and premeditated corruption to secure substantial financial gain for his friends/associates and himself," according to a WPBSA statement.

It also said that "he was involved in match-fixing on five occasions in five tournaments and his activity covers a period of two-and-a-half years, and he did this for substantial reward. He also admitted lying to the investigator, failing to cooperate with the investigation and betting on snooker when prohibited from doing so."

Yu will serve the longest suspension since English player Stephen Lee was given a 12-year ban in 2013.

World Snooker Championship /VCG Photo

Meanwhile, Cao Yupeng is banned for six years for fixing the outcome of three matches in 2016 and failing to fully cooperate with the WPBSA inquiry.

Cao will serve a suspension of two-and-a-half years unconditionally. The remaining three-and-a-half years will be suspended provided there is compliance with the written terms agreed between him and the WPBSA to provide significant assistance to the WPBSA in its anti-corruption work, the statement said.

Both players have 28 days to appeal the decision of the Tribunal.

"The WPBSA has very effective prevention and monitoring processes that protect the sport. Where players ignore this, they risk their careers and they will be caught. Cao Yupeng has shown true remorse and he will assist the WPBSA in player education and in its fight against corruption, which is reflected in his reduced sanction."

Yu Delu reached the quarter-finals of a full ranking event for the first time at the 2014 Players Championship Grand Finals in Preston. He even won in a surprise victory over snooker legend Ronnie O'Sullivan 4-3 in the last 16.

At the same time, Cao notched his first-ever maximum break in tournament play in the second round of the Scottish Open in the 2017/2018 season, becoming only the third player from the Chinese mainland to achieve the feat, following Ding Junhui and Liang Wenbo.

"It is very sad when talented players are attracted to the opportunity to make money from fixing matches," said WPBSA chairman Jason Ferguson.

(With input from Xinhua)