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Players in the snooker community have voiced their uncertainty regarding Zhao Xintong’s involvement in the World Championship.
The 28-year-old athlete from China secured his first title at the Crucible this year but remains prohibited from competing in his home country.
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Zhao had earlier admitted to being involved in match-fixing, including betting on matches alongside another player.
This resulted in an initial 30-month global ban, later reduced to 20 months.
Nonetheless, the Chinese Billiards and Snooker Association (CBSA) upheld the original 30-month ban, which prevents him from returning to play in China until July.
2005 champion Shaun Murphy has expressed his worries about Zhao’s qualification to compete.
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The 42-year-old shared his thoughts on the OneFourSeven Snooker Podcast: “This was a concern raised with anyone in World Snooker and the WPBSA who would listen back then.
“We questioned how a player still banned by their national governing body could be deemed to be in good standing?
“And then subsequently permitted to compete in WPBSA events like the Q Tour – this issue was raised about ten months ago, prior to the conclusion of last season.
“It seemed quite evident to most of us that he was not in good standing with his national governing body.
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“Many other players are affected by this too. One cannot simply join federations and tournaments at will.
“You need to be in good standing. The question we all had was, how can someone still under a ban be considered to be in good standing?
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“I still await a satisfactory answer from anyone at WPBSA Towers or the tour, leaving me puzzled.”
Zhao’s ban required him to qualify for World Snooker through the amateur Q Tour, where he participated as an amateur at the Crucible.
However, he showcased his talent by decisively defeating Ronnie O’Sullivan in the semi-final, dominating the Rocket in the morning session.
He then secured victory over Mark Williams 18-12 in the final.
