Former champion Bingham banned for breaking betting rules

Former world champion Stuart Bingham has been given a six-month ban for breaching snooker's betting regulations.

Bingham, who lifted the World Championship trophy at the Crucible in 2015, was found to have placed bets of close to £36,000 on matches - some of which he was playing in - over a period of 12 years.

The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) said there was no suggestion Bingham was "doing anything to influence match outcomes or engaged in corrupt activity".

Half of the term of the ban has been suspended for a year. The world number nine is not allowed to play again until January 26, 2018, and will miss the UK Championship and the Masters.

In breaking down Bingham's offences, the WPBSA said he placed bets in accounts under his name and the name of his manager, while he also placed bets under a third party.

WPBSA chairman Jason Ferguson said: "Players must understand that they cannot bet on snooker at all, even if they are not involved in a match or event. Any player found to breach the betting rules will face the most serious of consequences."

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