Snooker match-fixing probe: Jason Ferguson says 'lifetime bans don't stack up', but 'swift action' to be taken

ByJames Hilsum

Updated 02/01/2023 at 16:04 GMT

Jason Ferguson has revealed the probe into match-fixing in snooker is “moving on as quickly as possible” but says that “lifetime bans do not stack up in court”. Eight players – Yan Bingtao, Liang Wenbo, Chen Zifan, Lu Ning, Li Hang, Zhao Jianbo, Bai Langning and Chang Bingyu – are currently suspended. Former world champion Shaun Murphy has called for lifetime bans for anyone found guilty.

WPBSA chairman Jason Ferguson says the ongoing match-fixing investigation in snooker is "progressing quickly", adding that lifetime bans are unlikely for any player found guilty.

Former Masters champion Yan Bingtao is among eight players suspended amid the match-fixing probe. Former English Open winner Liang Wenbo, Chen Zifan, Lu Ning, Li Hang, Zhao Jianbo, Bai Langning and Chang Bingyu are also currently suspended.

The alleged offences relate to "manipulating the outcome of matches for betting purposes".

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Ferguson explained that while the sport’s governing body will seek to take "swift action", he stressed that imposing lifetime bans for any player found guilty may not be the most sensible option.

"It’s progressing quickly, we were already quite a long way down the road before I had to take the decision to suspend a number of players," Ferguson told Metro.co.uk. "Watch this space, we’re moving it on as quickly as possible.

"There is no limit on time for suspensions, but there are limits in terms of fairness to the players themselves and to the sport. We want to move this on very, very quickly. We’re pushing as hard as we can because this type of thing is very damaging and we have to prove to the public that it’s dealt with, that we can take swift action.

"As it says in the statements, the suspensions are an investigation into the manipulation of results. That isn’t to say that everyone who’s been suspended is guilty of match-fixing, that’s certainly not what it says.

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Ferguson was quizzed on the suggestion made by ex-world champion Shaun Murphy, who supports the sanction of issuing lifetime bans to those found guilty. In December, Murphy said: "I think anyone guilty of match-fixing, their existence in the snooker world should be over."

However, this was refuted by Ferguson, who added: "I get Shaun’s statement and I understand why he’s so passionate about it, because I feel very strongly about it as well, especially as a former player.

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"Every ball you pot must mean something. But we do know from legal advice that lifetime bans do not stack up in court. It’s completely challengeable.

"We have in our rules that players may receive up to a lifetime ban, if found guilty of match-fixing or manipulating results, but there has to be a range."

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