Snooker nice Steve Davis has described the continuing investigation into alleged match-fixing as “embarrassing” for the game, and says any participant discovered responsible of the offence may have proven a “breathtaking level of stupidity”.
This yr’s Masters event acquired underneath approach at Alexandra Palace on Sunday with out Zhao Xintong and Yan Bingtao, who’re two of 10 Chinese gamers at present suspended from the tour pending the end result of a probe by the game’s world governing physique, the WPBSA.
Three-time Masters champion Davis advised BBC Sport: “If the allegations are proven to be true, it shows a breathtaking level of stupidity by these players, but this is still to be developed.
“It’s embarrassing. I think all the players are aware of the situation and fortunately the WPBSA is on top of it. What effect it has on the game, it’s hard to evaluate at the moment.”
WPBSA chairman Jason Ferguson advised the BBC on Sunday that investigations had been at a “mature” stage, including: “I think we are one to two weeks away from the completion of that inquiry.”
The inquiry will decide whether or not formal costs are to be laid towards any of the ten gamers involved, which might then be dealt with by an impartial tribunal.
Davis expressed fears that the allegations might have a detrimental affect on the game in China, which has been frozen out of the tour since 2019 as a result of coronavirus pandemic.
Talks have been ongoing in regards to the sport’s return to China in mild of just lately relaxed laws however such a transfer now seems to be in jeopardy.
“What effect it has in China is even harder to say,” added Davis. “It may have a detrimental effect on events over there – let’s hope not.”
Following their suspensions, Yan and Zhao had been changed within the 16-strong Masters draw by David Gilbert and Hossein Vafaei respectively.
