**Shaun Murphy Launches Blistering Attack Over Zhao Xintong Controversy in World Snooker**
Snooker’s world of high drama has seen another twist as former world champion Shaun Murphy has publicly denounced two contentious decisions linked to Zhao Xintong, the sport’s newest world champion. Murphy’s fierce comments have reignited debates among fans and professionals, with questions now swirling around how the sport’s authorities are handling contracts and bans.
Zhao Xintong recently claimed the Crucible crown, overcoming Mark Williams 18-12 in a gripping final. The Chinese cueist celebrated not only the coveted world title, but also walked away with a prize fund of £500,000. However, Zhao’s return to the top flight was far from straightforward, having only returned to competitive play as an amateur last year after a lengthy 20-month suspension connected to a much-publicised match-fixing affair. That scandal had embroiled several other Chinese players and cast a long shadow on the sport’s governance and its reputation for fair play.
What has truly caused uproar among the professional ranks, however, is the unique situation surrounding Zhao’s world championship winnings. Despite competing as an amateur, Zhao’s victory has seen his prize money converted into ranking points—enough to catapult him straight into 11th position in the world rankings. This goes against the grain for many seasoned professionals, who point to the players’ contracts which seemingly state that while amateurs may keep their winnings, those sums should not translate into ranking points. Consequently, a considerable segment of the snooker community believes Zhao should be starting the new season back on zero points.
Shaun Murphy, never shy of voicing his opinions, unleashed robust criticism of the World Snooker Tour (WST) for what he called a flagrant disregard of agreed-upon wording in their contracts. Speaking on his OneFourSeven Snooker podcast, Murphy branded the move “staggering” and “jaw-dropping,” highlighting his frustration at what he perceives as an unsanctioned rewrite of the regulations. Importantly, Murphy was careful to clarify his remarks were directed not at Zhao personally, but at the process by which the WST handled the situation.
“Let’s be abundantly clear—nobody is targeting Zhao Xintong here,” Murphy stressed. “This is all about the World Snooker Tour brushing aside the terms and spirit of our player agreements which were renegotiated in good faith.”
The circumstances surrounding Zhao’s eligibility have become even murkier given the ongoing ban imposed by his own national association in China. While his suspension by the sport’s governing body, the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA), ended last September, Zhao remains listed as banned by his home federation until this July. Normally, such a circumstance would prevent a player from entering events governed by the WPBSA, raising yet more confusion about how Zhao has been permitted to compete in headline tournaments such as the UK Championship and World Championship.
Murphy and several other players claim to have queried Zhao’s eligibility with both the WST and WPBSA as far back as a year ago. For many, the requirement that players be in ‘good standing’ with their national bodies is unambiguous—a prerequisite violated by Zhao’s ongoing ban at home. “The policy has always been simple: you must be in good standing to enter these events,” Murphy stated, bewildered at the decision. “How can a still-banned player suddenly be deemed eligible?”
Players await answers from the sport’s authorities, with Murphy expressing frustration over the lack of a credible explanation. The WST has maintained that Zhao is considered in good standing despite the explicit ban, a stance that has only further exasperated those seeking transparency and accountability.
The controversy has left the wider snooker community divided—some argue Zhao, having served a tough ban, deserves the right to a fresh start, while others insist the integrity of the rules must be respected without exception. As debate intensifies, the onus is now on the governing associations to clarify their regulations and restore confidence among the players and public alike.
As it stands, the World Snooker Tour declined to issue a public statement to address the situation, leaving the matter unsettled. For now, Zhao Xintong’s triumph stands alongside a rumbling of discontent that may yet shape the sport’s governance in seasons to come.