Shaun Murphy reveals 'mixed feelings' on snooker match-fixing probe – 'Two life bans out of 10 not enough'

Shaun Murphy believes the sport's match-fixing probe has not gone far enough in dealing with the players guilty of «cheating» the public. The 2005 world champion welcomed lifetime bans for Liang Wenbo and Li Hang after an investigation by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA), but fears the independent tribunal was too lenient with the other eight men. Ad 2021 Masters champion Yan Bingtao cannot return until December 2027 at the earliest after having a ban of seven years and six months reduced to five years for early admission and a guilty plea.

He also has to pay £7,500 in costs. He accepted charges of fixing four snooker matches he played in and betting on matches, SnookerWho has earned tour cards via Q School with Ng in hunt to regain place on main circuit?4 HOURS AGO Former UK and German Masters champion Zhao Xintong can make a competitive comeback in September next year after being found guilty of being party to another player fixing two snooker matches and betting on matches between 2019 and 2022. “The length of the bans has left me with mixed feelings," said Murphy speaking to The Sportsman.

«Yes, I had called for life bans for anyone involved in match-fixing. And two of the 10 have got those life bans. “But I was told months ago that life bans were almost unobtainable, and totally unrealistic and not achievable, that it couldn’t happen.

“So given it has happened, it then got into splitting hairs over what level of cheating is worse than another level. “If we lose the trust of the public, who pays money to watch us play, and if we lose that integrity, we have nothing. These players have abused the trust placed in them.