Murphy backs Zhao snooker return after betting ban

Zhao Xintong was playing in his first major tournament since serving a 20-month ban

Former world champion Shaun Murphy says snooker is better for having Zhao Xintong in it after the Chinese player made his return to top-level competition following a 20-month ban.

Zhao, 27, was one of 10 players banned in a corruption scandal but, after a suspension of one year and eight months, has returned and qualified as an amateur for the UK Championship - the competition he won in 2021.

He did not directly throw a match but was initially suspended for two and a half years, reduced after his early admissions and guilty plea. He accepted charges of being a party to another player fixing two matches and betting on matches himself.

"Xintong was always a slightly different case to the others," said Murphy, who beat Zhao 6-5 in the opening round of the UK Championship on Saturday at the York Barbican.

"He was not a cheat, he did break the rules but admitted that and served his punishment. He should be allowed to move on and come back to the sport when he qualifies. The game is better for having Xintong in it."

'Let them know this is a big lesson, don't make the mistake'

Zhao Xintong with the UK Championship trophy after winning the 2021 final

Earlier this week, in an interview with the BBC, Zhao urged other players to learn from his error and added: "Two years ago I made a little mistake, now I've come back.

"I know how important snooker is to me and now I just want to come back to the snooker table.

"Let them know this is a big lesson, don't make the mistake. Play snooker, it's a very good thing."

Murphy felt Zhao would be welcomed back to the sport on a full-time basis if he qualified again for the main World Snooker Tour.

"We've all made mistakes, he has served his time, he should be allowed the opportunity to go through the qualifying criteria to get back on the tour," added Murphy.

‘If you are caught cheating you should be banned for life'

While Murphy is welcoming Zhao back to the game, he feels the other nine players involved - Liang Wenbo, Li Hang, Lu Ning, Yan Bingtao, Zhang Jiankang, Chen Zifan, Chang Bingyu, Zhao Jianbo and Bai Langning - should never be allowed to play competitive snooker again.

"If you are caught cheating you should be banned for life," added Murphy.

"Cheating is cheating, there's no room for it in any sport or our sport, but I can't emphasise the point enough - Xintong was not accused of that, he was not guilty of that, so I do believe he should be able to compete."