Jimmy White bemoaned a 'bad day for snooker' and Shaun Murphy was left stunned after the sport was thrown into further chaos on Monday.
Yan Bingtao became the seventh, and most high-profile player, to be suspended in the biggest match-fixing probe in snooker history. Former Masters champion Yan was suspended over match-fixing allegations just before he was set to begin his English Open campaign in Brentwood.
But the Chinese star's opponent Ashley Hugill was handed a walk-over after the suspension was confirmed by WPBSA chairman Jason Ferguson. The news came after fellow Chinese players Lu Ning, Li Hang, Zhao Jianbo, Bai Langning and Chang Bingyu were all been barred from attending or competing on the tour.
The players were suspended pending an investigation into allegations of manipulating the outcome of matches for betting purposes. And former English Open winner Liang Wenbo was also suspended back in October over a probe into unspecified "allegations of misconduct".
"WPBSA Chairman Jason Ferguson has taken the decision to suspend Yan Bingtao from attending or competing on the World Snooker Tour with immediate effect," a statement read. "This decision is part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of manipulating the outcome of matches for betting purposes in breach of the WPBSA Conduct Regulations.
"The suspension will remain in place until the conclusion of the investigation or any subsequent charges that may or may not be brought. Yan Bingtao has the right to appeal this decision."
"No further comment will be made except in the event of any significant further developments."
The suspension of world no.16 Yan has sent shockwaves through snooker spheres, with many left reeling by the match-fixing probe. Former world champion Shaun Murphy simply tweeted: "Oh my god," in reaction to Yan's suspension.
And six-time world finalist White insisted that it is important to await the outcome of the investigation, but condemned a dark day for the sport. "It's a really bad day for snooker," White told Eurosport. "We obviously have to wait for the inquiry."
He added: "This has to be out of the game, it has to be gone. You cannot have any crooked business in any sport, it has to be ironed out and I'm sure it will be."
