Shaun Murphy Speaks Out on Zhao Xintong’s Return After 20-Month Snooker Ban
Shaun Murphy, one of the sport’s most respected voices, has provided a candid perspective on Zhao Xintong’s much-anticipated return to professional snooker following a lengthy 20-month suspension. Zhao’s comeback has caused ripples in the snooker world, particularly since he reached the final of the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible, demonstrating remarkable form against Welsh veteran Mark Williams in what was his very first major tournament back.
The Chinese player, who had previously clinched the UK Championship in 2021, was among ten Chinese snooker professionals sanctioned in relation to a wide-ranging match-fixing scandal—a crisis that cast a shadow over the sport’s reputation for several months. While Zhao was never directly accused of manipulating frames or matches himself, he had admitted to knowing about another individual’s involvement and had breached regulations regarding betting.
Initially, Zhao faced a considerably longer suspension of 30 months. However, his willingness to cooperate and early admission of wrongdoing led to a reduction to 20 months. As part of his rehabilitation, Zhao participated in lower-tier Q Tour events, impressing many with his skill by notching up maximum 147 breaks in both Stockholm and Manchester. It wasn’t long before he was back on the main stage in Sheffield.
Ahead of their encounter in the UK Championship last November—a match which Murphy won—Murphy made his stance on Zhao’s reinstatement clear. From Murphy’s perspective, while Zhao’s transgressions did merit suspension, the severity was at the lower end compared to other cases within the scandal. Murphy commented, “He did know about it without reporting it and of course that’s against the rules. But he’s served his time.”
Adding his view on the matter, Murphy highlighted Zhao’s sharpened abilities, speculating that the long break may have only honed his focus and skills even further. “The problem with Zhao Xintong is he’s really bloody good. It might be fair to say he’s done nothing in these 18 months but practice. He looks very, very sharp to me,” Murphy told the Express. Indeed, Zhao’s return has generated mixed reactions, with some fans welcoming him back and others uncertain about celebrating his return so quickly after the controversy.
Nevertheless, Murphy took a balanced approach, recognising the importance of rehabilitation and second chances. He stressed, “He was caught, he took his punishment on the chin and since then has done everything right. There’s an element of rehabilitation—he’s done the crime and served his time and he’s back.” This statement underscores a broader debate within the sport regarding how best to balance punitive action with the opportunity for redemption.
Murphy also took the opportunity to praise the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) for their handling of the affair. He pointed to the organisation’s commitment to transparency in disciplinary matters. While the initial hearings are conducted privately, the findings and sanctions are always made public. Murphy asserted, “They never shy away from dealing with these incredibly difficult issues, because often you’re dealing with people that you’ve got a 10, 20, 30-year relationship with.”
At the heart of Murphy’s comments is a defence of the sport’s integrity. “The most important thing here is the sport’s integrity,” he reiterated, reflecting the concerns of many within the sport who believe that spectator trust in the game’s legitimacy must always come first. “The public, when they watch sport, they have to believe what they’re watching is genuine and if there’s a sniff that it isn’t real, we have to stamp them out,” he emphasised.
As Zhao Xintong’s comeback story continues to unfold, his performance on the green baize will doubtless be scrutinised closely, as will the sport’s continuing efforts to maintain its reputation for fairness and sportsmanship. The mixed reactions to his return highlight the complexities facing professional snooker as it seeks to move on from one of the most high-profile scandals in its recent history.
The snooker community, including high-profile players like Shaun Murphy, now faces the challenge of ensuring that lessons are learnt, while also recognising the power of reform and the vital role of upholding the sport’s values for future generations of players and fans alike.