“Zhao Xintong’s Shocking Comeback: Find Out Where, When, and Who He Faces After Match-Fixing Scandal!”
Zhao Xintong is making a cautious return to snooker after completing his ban for involvement in a significant match-fixing scandal. Although his comeback will be on the amateur circuit for now, it marks a crucial step in his attempt to reclaim his former glory. In June of last year, Zhao was among 10 players…
Zhao Xintong is making a cautious return to snooker after completing his ban for involvement in a significant match-fixing scandal. Although his comeback will be on the amateur circuit for now, it marks a crucial step in his attempt to reclaim his former glory.
In June of last year, Zhao was among 10 players handed suspensions, with his being the shortest, ending on 1 September 2024. The former UK Championship and German Masters winner was found guilty of conspiring with another player to fix two matches and betting on snooker games.
Now that his suspension is over, the 27-year-old is set to compete in the upcoming Q Tour event, which will take place from 20-22 September in Sofia, Bulgaria. This event is the second in a series, with the first one held in Leeds last month, where Estonia’s Andres Petrov took the title. Following Sofia, tournaments are scheduled in Sweden, Manchester, Austria, Switzerland, and Landywood.
Zhao’s first match post-ban is scheduled for Friday, 20 September, at 11 a.m. UK time, where he’ll face Lithuania’s Vilius Schulte-Ebbert. Zhao aims to perform well enough in these events to secure a spot on the World Snooker Tour for the next two years.
Interestingly, the Chinese Billiards and Snooker Association (CBSA) extended bans for the involved players, meaning Zhao remains barred from playing in China until July 2025. However, the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) has confirmed that this restriction only applies within mainland China, allowing Zhao to participate in events outside of the country.
WPBSA Chairman Jason Ferguson commented on Zhao’s return, acknowledging that the young talent has the potential to make a strong comeback, despite getting caught up in a scandal where he wasn’t a primary perpetrator.
Fellow players and commentators, like four-time world champion John Higgins, expect Zhao to quickly re-establish himself in the professional ranks, with his immense talent likely to see him back on the tour soon.
As Zhao begins his journey back to the top, all eyes will be on his performance in the Q Tour, which could determine his future in the sport.
