World Billy and Snooker Association Media Statement World Billy and Snooker Association Discipline Hearing Results were held at the hearings held on September 21 and November 2, 2018 by David CasementQC.

The investigation and disciplinary hearing results of Cao Yupeng and Yu Delu violated the WPBSA membership guidelines.

World Billy and Snooker Association (WPBSA) Media Statement

World Billy and Snooker Association (WPBSA) Discipline Hearing Results

At the hearings held by David Casement QC on September 21 and November 2, 2018, Cao Yupeng and Yu Delu admitted to violating the rules of the World Billy and Snooker Association Membership (hereinafter referred to as WPBSA). Prior to this, WPBSA's impartiality investigation department conducted a long investigation with the "Radar Sports Integrity Service" with the support of the sports betting investigation agency under the UK Gambling Commission.

In Delu's case, the court found that he engaged in intentional and premeditated corruption to ensure that his friends/companions and himself gained considerable financial benefits. He manipulated the game five times in five games over a two-and-a-half-year period and received a huge reward for it. He also admitted to lying to investigators, failing to cooperate with the investigation and betting on snookers without betting on football.

The starting point of the court's verdict on the German-Lu River was to suspend the competition for 12 years. Although he pleaded guilty only during the litigation period, the actual punishment for pleading guilty was suspended for 10 years and 9 months from May 25, 2018 to March 24, 2029. He was also ordered to pay £20,823.8 for the WPBSA lawsuit.

In Cao Yupeng's case, he admitted to manipulating the game in three games in 2016 and did not fully cooperate with WPBSA's inquiries.

The court's starting point for Cao Yupeng's verdict was to suspend the competition for 8 years. His plea was affirmed, so the suspension was reduced to 6 years. During the suspension period, he will be suspended for two and a half years unconditionally. If Cao Yupeng complies with the written terms with WPBSA and provides important assistance to WPBSA's anti-corruption efforts, the remaining three and a half years of suspension will be suspended.

If Cao Yupeng complies with his written terms with WPBSA, his suspension period is from May 25, 2018 to November 24, 2020. He was asked to pay £15,558 for the WPBSA lawsuit.

0WPBSA Chairman Fukuzawa Shin said: "It's very sad when talented players are attracted by opportunities to manipulate games to make money. WPBSA has very effective prevention and monitoring processes that can protect the sport. If players ignore this, they risk losing their careers. Cao Yupeng showed real regret and he will assist WPBSA in player education and fight against corruption, so his suspension was shortened."

Independent Court verdict on these players reflects the WPBSA's handling of such cases. It was a long and difficult investigation and the court praised WPBSA's skills and professionalism in investigating and stating cases.

China Billiards Association said that it firmly supports the rulings made by WPBSA and independent investigative agencies, and the fair environment for the game cannot be trampled on. The two players refused to listen to the dissuasion and paid a heavy price for this, and the lesson was painful. I hope other Chinese players will learn from this, adhere to the bottom line of professional ethics, and use better results to show the image of Chinese snooker sports and Chinese players. The full findings of the independent court can be seen below.

pleaded guilty to the charges in the German Lu:

1. You agree to manipulate the match against Martin McCladen in the Indian Open qualifiers on February 12, 2015, against Rule 2.1.2.1;

2. You agree to manipulate the match against Dominic Dell in the German Paul Hunter Classic on August 29, 2015, against Rule 2.1.2.1;

3. You agree to manipulate the match against Ian Glover at the Welsh Open on February 15, 2016, against Rule 2.1.2.1;

4. You agree to manipulate the match against Michael George in the qualifiers of the European Masters on August 4, 2017, which violates Rule 2.1.2.1;

5. You agree to manipulate the match against Kurt Mafulin at the Shanghai Masters on November 15, 2017, which violates Rule 2.1.2.1;

6. From June to October 2017, you were contacted to let you manipulate the match results in the competition you participated in. You failed to report to the company secretary or event official within 24 hours, which violates WPBSA membership rules 4.1;

8. You did not provide the materials required for the investigation during the investigation to cooperate with the investigation, which violates WPBSA membership rules 4.4;

9. You have been betting on snooker, which violates WPBSA membership rules 2.1.1.1.

Cao Yupeng admitted the allegation:

1. You agree to manipulate the match against Ali Carter at the Welsh Open on January 15, 2016, in violation of Rule 2.1.2.1;

2. You agree to manipulate the match against Stewart Bingham at the Indian Open qualifiers held on June 30, 2016, in violation of Rule 2.1.2.1;

3. You agree to manipulate the match against Stephen Maguire at the British Championships held on November 24, 2016, in violation of Rule 2.1.2.1;

4. You do not provide the materials required for the investigation during the investigation to cooperate with the investigation, which is in violation of WPBSA Membership Rule 4.4.

WPBSA Betting Rules Excerpt:

2. Improper Betting

2.1 This Rule is violated if a member has any of the following circumstances:

2.1.1 Betting:

2.1.1.1 Betting with any other person on the results, scores, processes, behaviors or any other aspects of the competition;

2.1.2 Corruption:

2.1.2.1 Manipulate or design, or as a member attempting to manipulate or design the results, scores, processes, behaviors or any other aspects of the competition;

4. Report Violations

4.1. If a person contacts or contacts a member in any way (whether directly or indirectly) to affect the outcome or conduct of any snooker or Billy match, whether or not to be rewarded or any other form of benefit (the “Conduct”), that member (“Reporting Member”) shall report such conduct to the WPBSA (through the Company Secretary or the Tournament Officer) as soon as reasonably practicable, and shall not be later than 24 hours after any such conduct occurs. In addition, the reporting member shall provide WPBSA (through the company secretary or event officer) with all information they have regarding the conduct and shall cooperate in any subsequent investigation and/or other actions occurring under the report.

4.4. In any investigation conducted by WPBSA in accordance with the provisions of these rules, each member shall cooperate with WPBSA, including (but not limited to):

4.4.1. Provide a written statement, detailing all facts and circumstances of suspected violations;

4.4.2. Attend questions and provide such information at a time and place determined by WPBSA;

4.4.3. Provide WPBSA with any documents, information or material of any other nature held by that member upon request; and

4.4.4. Obtain and provide WPBSA with any documents, information or material of any other nature that the member is entitled to but has not yet held;

4.4.5. Provide access to all records related to suspected violations to WPBSA. This includes, but is not limited to: betting accounts, bank records, telephone records, internet service records, social media accounts, emails and records stored on mobile phones, tablets, electronic devices, computer hard drives or other aspects. For convenience, the Member will hand over any such equipment for review by WPBSA or its representatives.