Liang Wenbo banned from all snooker competitions amid probe into misconduct allegations - The Mirror

Former English Open winner Wenbo, 35, has already served a ban this year following a conviction for a domestic related assault after an incident in Sheffield City Centre

China's Liang Wenbo has been suspended from competing in or even attending all official snooker tournaments - pending a probe into allegations of misconduct. The 35-year-old, twice a World Cup winner and former English Open winner, has already served a playing ban this year. In July Liang was banned for four months to August by the WPBSA following a conviction for a domestic related assault in April over an incident that occurred in July 2021. Liang had earlier been handed a 12-month community order and fined £1,380 after pleading guilty to the charge at Sheffield Magistrates Court. He was captured on CCTV punching and kicking a woman in Sheffield City Centre before dragging her to the floor. But this latest investigation is thought to be unrelated.

Both the legal system and snooker bosses were widely criticised at the time over the perceived leniency of the sentences. Louise Haigh, the Labour MP for Sheffield Heeley, described both the sentence and the sport's reaction as "pathetic". A WPBSA Statement read: "The WPBSA has today suspended Liang Wenbo from attending or competing in WPBSA sanctioned events.

"This is due to an ongoing investigation into allegations of misconduct. The suspension will remain in place until the conclusion of the investigation or the outcome of disciplinary proceedings. "The WPBSA will not comment further until the investigation is complete."

Liang was actually informed of the suspension in person yesterday morning by WPBSA disciplinary chiefs just as he was about to play an English Open qualifier against Peter Lines at 10am in Leicester. Lines was handed a walkover.