Snooker
Exclusive: John Higgins and Mark Allen Back Zhao Xintong’s Return to Snooker After Serving Suspension
Zhao Xintong is set to return to snooker after serving a suspension for match-fixing. Legends John Higgins and Mark Allen share their thoughts on his comeback and bright future in the sport.
Image Credits: Visual China Group via Getty Images/Visual China Group via Getty Images
Snooker legend John Higgins believes it is only a matter of time until Zhao Xintong returns to the World Snooker Tour.
The Chinese potter was banned as part of the biggest ever match-fixing scandal to hit the sport last year.
Zhao Xintong's Ban Ends After Match-Fixing Scandal
Former UK champion Zhao was one of 10 players who were charged with offences in the summer of 2023.
The now 27-year-old, who did not throw a match himself, accepted charges of being party to another player fixing two matches and betting charges.
His backdated 20-month suspension ended earlier this month, and he is eligible to try and regain his World Snooker Tour status.
Zhao reached a high of sixth in the world and is a winner of two ranking titles.
He will return to the sport later this month at the WPBSA Q Tour event in Bulgaria, which begins on September 20, in what will be his first competitive snooker since his ban was lifted a fortnight ago.
John Higgins and Mark Allen Praise Zhao's Talent and Future
Four-time world champion Higgins told SportsBoom.com: “He’s served his time now.”
“He’s a great young talent for the game. He looked as if he was going to be one of the top players in the world.”
“I’ve heard he’s still been practicing really hard and I’m sure he will fit back in seamlessly.”
“He’s too talented not to get back on the tour.”
Liang Wenbo and Li Hang were slapped with lifetime bans from the sport for corruption, which included coercing other players to fix matches.
Yan Bingtao, the 2022 Masters champion, was handed a five-year suspension for fixing, whilst Lu Ning, Zhang Jiangkang, Chen Zifan, Chang Bingyu, Zhao Jianbo and Bai Langning were also banned.
Former world No.1 Mark Allen told SportsBoom.com: “You have to put into context what he done.”
“As far as I’m concerned, he didn’t have a massive say in what was going on.”
"He shouldn’t really be included in the same conversation as those who fixed matches, although it was all dealt with at the same time.”
“What he done was very silly, but I can understand it, whereas the other ones were pure greed, and they deserve their punishment.”
“He’s served his time so welcome back.”
“He’s a class, class player. He was top eight when the ban happened. He’s still young and has a long future ahead of him.”
I heard rumours he’s been practicing all the way through the ban, so I think he will sail through whatever qualifying process he decides to take to get back on tour.
Mark Allen
WPBSA Confirms Zhao’s Eligibility Despite Continued Ban in China
A spokesperson for the sport’s governing body, WPBSA, said: “Zhao has served the suspension by the Independent Disciplinary Commission, and he has paid his costs order.
“This means he is eligible to play in WPBSA governed events from September 2nd.”
Zhao is suspended in his homeland until July 2025 after authorities in the country imposed a longer sanction.
English potter Mark King, who had his tour card suspended in March 2023, is still awaiting a verdict from a separate match-fixing investigation following suspicious betting patterns from a match the month prior.
Shane is an experienced sports journalist with over a decade on the front line, covering everything from football to horse racing. A familiar face in the snooker pressroom, his work regularly appears in the Daily Mirror, Daily Express, and Daily Star, alongside SportsBoom.
While snooker is where many readers know him best, cricket is his true sporting passion, though he tends to keep that side of him separate from his professional beat.
A staunch traditionalist, he’s unlikely to share your enthusiasm if you believe The Hundred is the future of Test cricket.