Latest news with #ChampionshipLeague
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Snooker star who was suspended for match-fixing says match-fixers should be banned for life
SUSPENDED snooker star Mark King has insisted that any player found guilty of match-fixing should be banned for life. King is currently suspended until March 2028 after being found guilty of fixing a match against Joe Perry in 2023. 2 He was first suspended in 2023 and admits its taken a toll on his family Credit: PA:Press Association 2 The former Northern Ireland open champions was found guilty of match fixing Credit: Getty But the 51-year-old told "If you're guilty, that's it, you should never be allowed to play again." King, who was first suspended by snooker's governing body in March 2023 after suspicious betting patterns were flagged following his 4-0 loss to Joe Perry at the Welsh Open in February that year. Perry was not under suspicion and King has consistently denied the charges. READ MORE IN SNOOKER After losing an appeal in May, he was hit with a staggering £113,000 cost order. In November 2024, the former Northern Ireland Open champion was found guilty and banned until March 2028. The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) made it clear that there's no more serious violation than match-fixing, adding they had thoroughly investigated the case. The body said in a statement: "There was strong evidence against King, and this led to action under the WPBSA's Conduct Regulations." Most read in Snooker King admitted the scandal had taken a toll on his personal life, with his wife suffering serious health problems during the investigation. He revealed: "The hardest part of this has been seeing what it's done to my wife. Championship League snooker match awkwardly interrupted by Ice Cream Van "She had a pacemaker fitted not long after it all started, and it's been really tough on her." The Essex player, who once reached No.11 in the world, is also a recovering gambling addict and said the entire ordeal had severely impacted his mental health. While the WPBSA emphasised the support available for players, including counselling and legal advice, King described his struggles. He also admits despite receiving emotional support from close friends like three-time world champion Mark Williams, who called just to check on him, King is still facing financial strain due to his suspension. He said: "I don't have £113,000 lying around. "I'm out of work at 51, and I tried doing a bit of labouring, but it was too much for me." With just under three years remaining on his suspension, King is uncertain about his future in snooker. He concluded: "I don't know what's going to happen. I love playing, love the travel, but I'm still hurt and angry."
The Sun
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
‘So unpredictable' – Snooker fans baffled as ‘one of more confusing players on the tour' knocks in staggering 147 break
CHINESE snooker star Fan Zhengyi scored the first maximum break of the new 2025 season - after a disappointing year. The world No.48 shocked fans when he hit an incredible 147 at the Championship League in Leicester on Thursday. 2 2 Fan became only the 38th player in the modern history of the sport to compile multiple maximums, scoring his first at the English Open in 2024. The perfect break came in the second frame of the match which finished 2-2. The highlight of the 147 was a tough cutback yellow to a blind pocket on 120, as he hit the white off three cushions to come back for the green in baulk. David Hendon on commentary said: "First of the season, but we know with the quality of players, it won't be the last. Fantastic from Fan Zhengyi." But his opponent Xu did not let Fan's effort get to him, as he recovered from 2-0 behind to earn a 2-2 draw in finishing the day unbeaten. However, supporters couldn't believe Fan's achievement after the disappointing year he's had, failing to make it past the last-32 of any competition. One posted on X: "Fan is one of the more confusing players on tour. Looks unbelievable sometimes but really unpredictable. "He's not won a match yet this season, but made a 147. Also lost a frame to Highfield who needed 3 snookers. Tough to predict." While another added: " Definitely in the top-10 of most confusing players!" It was the 218th 147 in professional snooker history and first of the 2025/26 season. But Fan, who has won just three matches this calendar year, was dumped out of the competition with a haul of just two points. Xu Si instead topped Group 29 with a record of two wins and a draw, beating Michal Szubarczyk and Liam Highfield before securing a tie with Fan to safeguard his spot in the last 32. The Championship League runs between June 30 and July 23, with 32 groups of four producing 32 winners, who are then split into eight groups of four. Two final groups of four will determine who contests the final on July 23, with the winner earning £33,000 and a place in the Champion of Champions event in Leicester in November. Ronnie O'Sullivan, who Fan defeated 10-9 in the 2022 European Masters final, remains the most prolific maximum maker of all time with 15. List of all-time Snooker World Champions BELOW is a list of snooker World Champions by year. The record is for the modern era, widely considered as dating from the 1968-69 season, when the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) took control of the sport. The first World Championships ran from 1927 - with a break from 1941-45 because of World War II and 1958-63 because of a dispute in the sport. Joe Davis (15), Fred Davis and John Pulman (both 8) were the most successful players during that period. Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O'Sullivan share the record for the most titles in the modern era, with seven each. 1969 - John Spencer 1970 - Ray Reardon 1971 - John Spencer 1972 - Alex Higgins 1973 - Ray Reardon (2) 1974 - Ray Reardon (3) 1975 - Ray Reardon (4) 1976 - Ray Reardon (5) 1977 - John Spencer (2) 1978 - Ray Reardon (6) 1979 - Terry Griffiths 1980 - Cliff Thorburn 1981 - Steve Davis 1982 - Alex Higgins (2) 1983 - Steve Davis (2) 1984 - Steve Davis (3) 1985 - Dennis Taylor 1986 - Joe Johnson 1987 - Steve Davis (4) 1988 - Steve Davis (5) 1989 - Steve Davis (6) 1990 - Stephen Hendry 1991 - John Parrott 1992 - Stephen Hendry (2) 1993 - Stephen Hendry (3) 1994 - Stephen Hendry (4) 1995 - Stephen Hendry (5) 1996 - Stephen Hendry (6) 1997 - Ken Doherty 1998 - John Higgins 1999 - Stephen Hendry (7) 2000 - Mark Williams 2001 - Ronnie O'Sullivan 2002 - Peter Ebdon 2003 - Mark Williams (2) 2004 - Ronnie O'Sullivan (2) 2005 - Shaun Murphy 2006 - Graeme Dott 2007 - John Higgins (2) 2008 - Ronnie O'Sullivan (3) 2009 - John Higgins (3) 2010 - Neil Robertson 2011 - John Higgins (4) 2012 - Ronnie O'Sullivan (4) 2013 - Ronnie O'Sullivan (5) 2014 - Mark Selby 2015 - Stuart Bingham 2016 - Mark Selby (2) 2017 - Mark Selby (3) 2018 - Mark Williams (3) 2019 - Judd Trump 2020 - Ronnie O'Sullivan (6) 2021 - Mark Selby (4) 2022 - Ronnie O'Sullivan (7) 2023 - Luca Brecel 2024 - Kyren Wilson 2025 - Zhao Xintong Most World Titles (modern era) 7 - Stephen Hendry, Ronnie O'Sullivan 6 - Ray Reardon, Steve Davis 4 - John Higgins, Mark Selby 3 - John Spencer, Mark Williams 2 - Alex Higgins
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘So unpredictable' – Snooker fans baffled as ‘one of more confusing players on the tour' knocks in staggering 147 break
CHINESE snooker star Fan Zhengyi scored the first maximum break of the new 2025 season - after a disappointing year. The world No.48 shocked fans when he hit an incredible 147 at the Championship League in Leicester on Thursday. Advertisement 2 Fan Zhengyi scored an incredible 147 during the first tournament of the new season Credit: X @CLSnooker 2 It was the second maximum break of his young career Credit: X @CLSnooker Fan became only the 38th player in the modern history of the sport to compile multiple maximums, scoring his first at the English Open in 2024. The perfect break came in the second frame of the match which finished 2-2. The highlight of the 147 was a tough cutback yellow to a blind pocket on 120, as he hit the white off three cushions to come back for the green in baulk. David Hendon on commentary said: "First of the season, but we know with the quality of players, it won't be the last. Fantastic from Fan Zhengyi." Advertisement READ MORE SNOOKER But his opponent Xu did not let Fan's effort get to him, as he recovered from 2-0 behind to earn a 2-2 draw in finishing the day unbeaten. However, supporters couldn't believe Fan's achievement after the disappointing year he's had, failing to make it past the last-32 of any competition. One posted on X: "Fan is one of the more confusing players on tour. Looks unbelievable sometimes but really unpredictable. "He's not won a match yet this season, but made a 147. Also lost a frame to Highfield who needed 3 snookers. Tough to predict." Advertisement Most read in Snooker Exclusive Exclusive Exclusive CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS While another added: " Definitely in the top-10 of most confusing players!" It was the 218th 147 in professional snooker history and first of the 2025/26 season. Championship League snooker match awkwardly interrupted by Ice Cream Van But Fan, who has won just three matches this calendar year, was dumped out of the competition with a haul of just two points. Advertisement Xu Si instead topped Group 29 with a record of two wins and a draw, beating Michal Szubarczyk and Liam Highfield before securing a tie with Fan to safeguard his spot in the last 32. The Championship League runs between June 30 and July 23, with 32 groups of four producing 32 winners, who are then split into eight groups of four. Two final groups of four will determine who contests the final on July 23, with the winner earning £33,000 and a place in the Champion of Champions event in Leicester in November. Advertisement List of all-time Snooker World Champions BELOW is a list of snooker World Champions by year. The record is for the modern era, widely considered as dating from the 1968-69 season, when the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) took control of the sport. The first World Championships ran from 1927 - with a break from 1941-45 because of World War II and 1958-63 because of a dispute in the sport. Joe Davis (15), Fred Davis and John Pulman (both 8) were the most successful players during that period. 1969 - John Spencer 1970 - 1971 - John Spencer 1972 - Alex Higgins 1973 - Ray Reardon (2) 1974 - Ray Reardon (3) 1975 - Ray Reardon (4) 1976 - Ray Reardon (5) 1977 - John Spencer (2) 1978 - Ray Reardon (6) 1979 - Terry Griffiths 1980 - Cliff Thorburn 1981 - 1982 - Alex Higgins (2) 1983 - Steve Davis (2) 1984 - Steve Davis (3) 1985 - 1986 - Joe Johnson 1987 - Steve Davis (4) 1988 - Steve Davis (5) 1989 - Steve Davis (6) 1990 - 1991 - John Parrott 1992 - Stephen Hendry (2) 1993 - Stephen Hendry (3) 1994 - Stephen Hendry (4) 1995 - Stephen Hendry (5) 1996 - Stephen Hendry (6) 1997 - 1998 - 1999 - Stephen Hendry (7) 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - Mark Williams (2) 2004 - Ronnie O'Sullivan (2) 2005 - Shaun Murphy 2006 - Graeme Dott 2007 - John Higgins (2) 2008 - Ronnie O'Sullivan (3) 2009 - John Higgins (3) 2010 - Neil Robertson 2011 - John Higgins (4) 2012 - Ronnie O'Sullivan (4) 2013 - Ronnie O'Sullivan (5) 2014 - 2015 - 2016 - Mark Selby (2) 2017 - Mark Selby (3) 2018 - Mark Williams (3) 2019 - 2020 - Ronnie O'Sullivan (6) 2021 - Mark Selby (4) 2022 - Ronnie O'Sullivan (7) 2023 - 2024 - 2025 - Most World Titles (modern era) 7 - Stephen Hendry, Ronnie O'Sullivan 6 - Ray Reardon, Steve Davis 4 - John Higgins, Mark Selby 3 - John Spencer, Mark Williams 2 - Alex Higgins
The Irish Sun
15-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
World Seniors Snooker DOUBLES prize money for 2025-26 and announces major rule change making Ronnie O'Sullivan eligible
RONNIE O'SULLIVAN is eligible to play on the World Seniors Snooker Tour next season following a big rule change. 1 Ronnie O'Sullivan will be eligible to play on the World Seniors Snooker Tour next season Credit: PA But he will now be eligible to play on the Seniors Tour, along with every other player aged 40 or over. Nine tour events will take place in the 2025/26 season. The winner's cheque will be doubled each weekend to £1,000 with prize money paid down to the last 16. Last season a prize pot of £50,000 was paid out in the World Seniors Snooker Championship, with winner Alfie Burden picking up £20,000. READ MORE IN SNOOKER Jason Francis, Chairman of WSS, said: 'This season there are a lot more players eligible to play, including a number of WST professionals, and we have pledged £27,000 in prize money across our nine events which is more than double the amount that was on offer last season. 'If you are over 40, now is the time to dust off your cue and come and enjoy some friendly but serious competition.' The first tournament of the new season takes place between August 15-17. The season runs until April, with a month's break between December 14 and January 16. Most read in Snooker CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS A Super Seniors event will also take place on the Sunday of each weekend for players aged 55 or over. Championship League snooker match awkwardly interrupted by Ice Cream Van
Metro
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Metro
Snooker icon warns rivals about 16-year-old rookie with huge future ahead of him
Former Masters and UK Championship winner Matthew Stevens faced a 16-year-old on Wednesday who he expects to have a very bright future in snooker. Few will have heard of Chinese teenager Lan Yuhao before, with the youngster only a matter of days into his first season as a professional. Lan was competing at the Championship League in Leicester on Wednesday and thoroughly impressed the Welsh veteran. The tour rookie picked up a 2-2 draw against Stevens, knocking in a break of 69 in the first frame, but it was in a subsequent match that he really sparkled. In a clash with fellow rookie Xu Yichen, Lan picked up his first professional win, beating his compatriot 3-1. It was not so much the victory that impressed, but the stunning break of 142 he knocked in along the way. Stevens certainly liked what he saw from the youngster and expects to see a lot more from him in the years to come. After topping the group and progressing to the next stage of the Championship League, the Welshman said: 'I tell you who I was impressed with, the 16-year-old in the group, he's got some future, he hits the ball really well. 'He's definitely going to be a pain in the future for a lot of players.' Another Welsh veteran, Dominic Dale, was on commentary as Lan made the epic 142 break against Xu and likened him to a Chinese star who is a few years ahead of him. 'He's got a touch of Si Jiahui about him, this young fellow, with the tempo,' said Dale. 'He's a confident player, what a break this has been.' Commentator Phil Yates wondered aloud: 'Have we just seen the first glimpse of future stardom?' It is very early to be getting too excited, with Lan winning just one of his first five games on tour, but there is clearly a lot of talent and potential in the new arrival in the professional game. As a 15-year-old he very nearly qualified for the pro tour, reaching the final round of 2024 Asia & Oceania Q School, having won eight matches over two events. Michal Szubarczyk (Poland) – 14Lan Yuhao (China) – 16Bulcsu Revesz (Hungary) – 18Gong Chenzhi (China) – 18 Stan Moody (England) – 18 Lan can be pleased with his performances on Wednesday, but Yuan Sijun can be delighted with his, winning the other Championship League group in action without dropping a frame. The 25-year-old beat Stuart Carrington, Alexander Ursenbacher and Sanderson Lam 3-0, with the final victory an exhibition of break-building. Given Yuan had already secured top spot in the group he could have taken his foot off the pedal against Lam, but quite the opposite happened as he knocked in breaks of 104, 123 and 106. Yuan was tipped for the top some years ago and he has not quite made the progress some expected, but with five victories from five matches so far this season, maybe now is his time to step up. 'Yuan Sijun, he's one of the best youngsters I've seen since the likes of Ding [Junhui], Ronnie [O'Sullivan], Mark Williams or John Higgins turned pro, he's the best I've seen,' Hendry told Metro. 'But it's not an automatic, it's how he's looked after. Does he do the right things with his career? But he has the best potential I've seen so far.' As for 47-year-old Stevens, he will return for the second stage later this month and continue looking for his first ranking title since 2003, which he still believes he can land. More Trending 'I say the same every year, it'll be nice to get to a final and hopefully win a tournament,' he said. 'We saw Joe Perry win a tournament and Rob Milkins do well, there's no reason why I can't. 'I don't practice enough, I know that and that's up to me. But it'll be nice to get deep into a tournament, win three or four matches and that is my practice really. Let's see what happens, I've definitely got the talent to win another event.' MORE: Stephen Hendry puts Ronnie O'Sullivan second in top five snooker players to watch MORE: The players who had dream and nightmare first weeks of the snooker season MORE: Sam Craigie feared for snooker career after neck surgery but now feels better than ever
