LONDON (AP) — A leading snooker player has received a suspended three-month ban after accusing Chinese players of cheating.
The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association says Northern Ireland’s Mark Allen was also fined $15,500 for behavior that was “unacceptable and offensive to China and the Chinese players.”
Allen accused Chinese opponent Cao Yupeng of failing to penalize himself for a “blatant push” during their first-round match at the world championships in April. He then claimed cheating “seems to be a bit of a trait for the Chinese players.”
Snooker is popular in China, where 11th-ranked Ding Junhui is one of the country’s most famous sportsmen.
Allen’s suspension will take effect if he commits any new rules violation in the next six months.
