Shaun Murphy reveals snooker stars wanted Zhao Xintong BANNED from World Champs and is yet to get ‘satisfactory answer'
The Chinese star, 28, won the title for the first time at the Crucible this year, but remains banned in China.
2
Zhao Xintong won the 2025 World Snooker Championship
Credit: Rex
2
Shaun Murphy revealed he and a host of other players wanted Zhao banned
Credit: Getty
Zhao previously admitted being party to another player fixing two matches while betting on matches himself.
That saw him handed a 30-month global ban which was later reduced to 20.
However, the Chinese Billiards and Snooker Association (CBSA) chose to stick with the original 30-month ban, meaning he will not be able to return to playing in his homeland until July.
And 2005 champion Shaun Murphy revealed he asked why Zhao was allowed to compete.
READ MORE ON ZHAO XINTONG
The 42-year-old told
"Asking the question, how can a player who is still banned by their own governing body be seen and be deemed to be in good standing?
"And therefore be allowed to enter WPBSA events such as Q Tour – that was a question that was asked about ten months ago, before the start of the season that's just ended.
"It seemed fairly black and white to most of us that he wasn't in good standing with his national governing body.
Most read in Sport
BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK
"There are lots of other players that this has and does, and will apply to. You can't just go around joining federations and tournaments as you see fit.
"You have to be in good standing. The question we all asked was, how can a player who is still banned be deemed to be in good standing?
Zhao Xintong's classy act towards Ronnie O'Sullivan revealed after knocking legend out of World Snooker Championship
"I'm yet to hear a satisfactory answer from anyone at WPBSA Towers or the tour, so I don't know the answer."
Zhao's ban meant that he was forced to qualify for World Snooker via the amateur Q Tour and compete as an amateur at the Crucible.
But he showed that he was far from an ordinary 'amateur' with his demolition of
He then went on to
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
3 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Five transfer targets Arsenal could move for including Rodrygo and Lookman if they offload £100m worth of flops
Scroll down to see how realistic each target could be for Arsenal GUNNER GO FOR IT Five transfer targets Arsenal could move for including Rodrygo and Lookman if they offload £100m worth of flops MIKEL ARTETA has been backed to the tune of over £200m this summer already, but Arsenal are still open to bringing in another fresh face before the transfer deadline. The Gunners appear to still be in the market for another attacking option, with a left winger most likely, but it's clear they will have to sell before they can buy. 8 Mikel Arteta could still add another new face this summer Credit: Getty 8 The Gunners have spent big on players like Viktor Gyokeres Credit: Getty Advertisement 8 Leandro Trossard and Reiss Nelson are two stars that could be sold to raise funds Credit: The Times Despite having a lot of headroom regarding PSR regulations, Arsenal are tight on Uefa Financial Fair Play rules. Arrivals of players like Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi and Noni Madueke have meant the Gunners' net spend is the second highest in the league this summer. Title rivals Liverpool, who have been spending for fun, find themselves in a far better position despite spending over £315m since the window first opened. Advertisement That's because The Reds have sold well, shifting on the likes of Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, Jarell Quansah and Ben Gannon Doak for big money. READ MORE ON FOOTBALL HE'S A KEEPER Man Utd have obvious solution to goalkeeper crisis, and it's not Donnarumma Arsenal will need to do the same with their pool of deadwood if they are to raise the funds to dip back into the market. Fabio Vieira, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Leandro Trossard, Jakub Kiwior, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Reiss Nelson all seem to be available for the right price. Should Arsenal manage to sell all six of those players for their current transfer value it could take their outgoings to well in excess of £100m, allowing them to re-enter the market. Advertisement Here, SunSport breaks down five potential targets the Emirates outfit could make a move for if they are able to raise the funds to re-line their pockets.... RODRYGO Real Madrid star Rodrygo has been linked with Arsenal for most of the window. The 24-year-old Brazilian would be seen by many as a big upgrade on Gabriel Martinelli if he is able to replicate his form for Madrid over the years. However, he has been short on minutes in the Spanish capital and actually scored less league goals that Martinelli last term. That said, Arsenal have picked up players hiding in the shadows of La Liga's superteams before and had great success. Advertisement Arteta would be hoping that Rodrygo can be a Martin Odegaard or Alexis Sanchez, and not a Dani Ceballos or Denis Suarez. 8 ANTHONY GORDON Arsenal are known to have a long-held interest in Anthony Gordon and Arteta is always fond of a Premier League ready arrival. Gordon has become a crucial part of Newcastle's rebuild under manager Eddie Howe but could be ready to take the next step in his career. The England international hasn't been in the greatest patch of form recently and new surroundings could be exactly what he needs. Advertisement However, the chances of Newcastle letting Gordon go are very low given the likelihood that they will already be waving goodbye to star man Alexander Isak before the window closes. 8 ADEMOLA LOOKMAN Arsenal were first linked with Ademola Lookman last summer and the winger has been exceptional for Atlanta since. His exit from the Serie A club looks likely, with the 27-year-old submitting a transfer request earlier in the window to try and force through a move to Inter Milan. Reports now claim that Inter have walked away from the deal after Atalanta rejected their £38m bid, potentially opening the door for Arsenal to swoop in. Advertisement Lookman has previous Premier League appearances from his brief spells with Leicester City, Fulham and Everton. 8 RAFAEL LEAO Rafael Leao has become one of the most consistent top performers in Serie A over the past five years. His versatility would mean that he could play anywhere across the front three for Arsenal and would offer even more depth to Arteta's side. He's still tied down to a contract with AC Milan until 2028 and so won't be a cheap option if the Gunners try to make a move. Advertisement But with Milan out of Europe altogether this season, the temptation of Champions League football could potentially turn Leao's head. 8 BRADLEY BARCOLA Admittedly this one seems unlikely, but if Arsenal can raise over £100m from player sales then it could tee them up for a marquee signing. Barcola, 22, is one of the most highly-rated wingers in Europe at the moment, having a hand in seven of PSG's goals on their journey to Champions League glory last season. And while a switch to Arsenal may not seem realistic, Barcola would be given the chance to be one of the stars in North London, rather than staying in the shadows of Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue and Kvicha Kvaratskhelia in Paris. Advertisement He's already been linked with a Premier League switch this summer, with Liverpool reportedly sniffing around. But if Arsenal could get their hands on one of Europe's best gems it would go a long way in finally getting them over the line for a league title. 8
The Irish Sun
4 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
‘No one thinks I can do it' – Legendary Cheltenham Festival jockey makes shock comeback after 14 years
It's a name that will certainly ring a bell RAN TO GLORY 'No one thinks I can do it' – Legendary Cheltenham Festival jockey makes shock comeback after 14 years A LEGENDARY Cheltenham Festival jockey who found more fame as a trainer is to make an incredible racing return after 14 years. Keiran Burke rode a winner at jumps racing's biggest meeting and trained the iconic Hunt Ball on his remarkable winning run. 2 Keiran Burke is one of the few to have ridden a winner at Cheltenham Festival - here on Holmwood Legend - and trained one Credit: Getty 2 Anthony Knott owner of Hunt Ball, jockey Nick Schofield and trainer Keiran Burke after their victory in the Pulteney Land Investments Novices Handicap Steeple Chase during day one of the 2012 Cheltenham Festival Credit: Alamy Now, after being teased by stable lads and lasses at his Dorset base, he is all set to dust off his whip and goggles for Newmarket this Saturday. And he even says victory in the world's longest Flat race - which has been reduced in distance owing to the dry ground - would eclipse his achievements at Cheltenham. Burke, now 39, won the 2011 Plate on Holmwood Legend for late trainer Pat Rodford. The victory was dubbed one of the 'romantic' tales of the week with the 25-1 outsider storming home by three lengths. But his career in the saddle ended in a life-threatening incident when he was 'double-barrelled' by a spooked horse. Burke had splashed some cash at the Cheltenham sales and was trotting the new purchase at home when it got spooked. Intent on catching the tearaway, Burke ran after it but the horse kicked him with both its hind legs. He was in intensive care for a week with a ruptured spleen and was so weak he couldn't walk. Burke recovered in time to train the Anthony Knott-owned Hunt Ball, who went from a lowly 69-rated chaser to Cheltenham Festival winner. The horse won seven of eight races in the 2011-12 season - including the Listed Pulteney Land Investments Novices' Handicap Chase at the Festival - before finishing third in the Grade 1 Bowl at Aintree off 154. But Burke insists winning the Newmarket Town Plate - which has been run since 1666 - would top the lot. Especially as he is taking on good friend and rival trainer Tim Vaughan. Burke said: "All the staff said I couldn't do it, so I had to prove them wrong. "It was probably about three months ago that it came on the agenda but, originally, I was a reserve. "I was then put in as someone else pulled out, so it has been a bit all last minute to get everything sorted to go and do it. "I think it would give me loads more satisfaction winning this than winning at the Cheltenham Festival. "I've not had a massive chance to think about it too much, and what it means, but it is starting to sink in a little bit more now. "I think all those old memories will be flooding back, but it is even better there are not eight flights of hurdles to negotiate!" "I've got one thing I need to get done and that is to beat Tim Vaughan. "We have not had a side bet on this, but from what I've seen he is taking this very seriously. "I was up at Newmarket at the weekend, and I was having a drink with Josephine Gordon and she texted Tim a picture of me drinking a pint for my preparation when he has been all over Instagram going running and stuff. "If Tim Vaughan is last and I'm second last I will be delighted! "I don't know about being in good shape, but I got going when I was first going to go for it then I backed off as I wasn't doing it, but now I am doing I've had to get on with it. "I've not been drinking so much or eating so much. "I've had to lose about half-a-stone which wasn't too bad. "I passed the fitness test, but that nearly killed me, however I got through it in the end. "The horse I'm riding is called Chedington's Guest. He is not the easiest horse, but he will be OK. "He was placed in a bumper at Taunton last April and he is a nice horse. "I got the best one eligible out of my lot I could find for the race. "The owners are coming up and so is my son, but as it is on a Saturday unfortunately the staff will have to stay at home and work. "I think it will be a laugh and good fun hopefully. "It has been a long time since I retired. I just need to make sure my legs are still working near the end of it." FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
The Irish Sun
5 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Amorim ‘failed to convince Man Utd board to sanction Martinez transfer despite coaches being desperate to replace Onana'
RUBEN AMORIM failed to convince Manchester United chiefs to buy Emiliano Martinez, according to reports. Altay Bayindir filled in for Andre Onana in the 1-0 defeat to Arsenal on Sunday and was at fault for the Gunners' goal. 2 Emiliano Martinez is wanted by Ruben Amorim Credit: Getty 2 Amorim has been unable to get Man Utd chiefs to spend big on a new stopper Credit: Getty Amorim has supposedly been pushing to bring in a new goalkeeper this summer. But reports from Argentine journalist Gaston Edul claim the boss has been unable to get chiefs to spend big on a new No1. Man Utd have been heavily linked with Aston Villa stopper Martinez. A bid of around £40million is thought to be enough to bring the 32-year-old to Old Trafford. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL HE'S A KEEPER Man Utd have obvious solution to goalkeeper crisis, and it's not Donnarumma But so far Man Utd are said to have only seen a loan approach rejected. Edul said on the 412 YouTube channel: "The deal was very close. "The coaching staff, especially Amorim, wanted him and Martinez knew that Amorim wanted him. "Amorim could not convince the board that it was important to spend on a good goalkeeper. BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS 'Well, they told him that Onana was there and said, 'OK, we'll do you a favour and try,' and they offered a loan. "Aston Villa made it clear under what conditions they would let him go for a sale.' Emi Martinez in tears as he waves goodbye to fans after Aston Villa's final home game SunSport exclusively revealed back in June that Amorim was a huge fan of Martinez. He put pen to paper on a five-year contract at Villa Park last summer but was still expected to depart this summer after tearfully waving to fans in the final match of last season. Away from Martinez, Man Utd are said to be keen on Gianluigi Donnarumma as he looks to leave PSG after being replaced by Lucas Chevalier. There has been interest in Onana from Monaco, Inter Milan and Saudi Arabian sides. But the keeper is said to be desperate to prove the doubters wrong after two difficult seasons between the sticks for Man Utd.
