Confusion and controversy have erupted in the snooker world after Zhao Xintong won the World Snooker Championship as an amateur player.
The Chinese star defeated Mark Williams 18-12 in Monday's Crucible final, creating an unprecedented situation in the sport.
Zhao had been serving a 20-month ban for match-fixing and betting on snooker, which saw him drop off the professional tour.
His victory has sparked debate about his ranking status, with World Snooker Tour now admitting their rules were unclearly worded.
Confusion and controversy have erupted in the snooker world after Zhao Xintong won the World Snooker Championship as an amateur player
PA
Zhao had been playing on the amateur circuit to regain his professional status, which he achieved by earning a two-year tour card for the upcoming season.
He then came through World Championship qualifying and went all the way to claim the title, earning £500,000 in prize money.
This substantial sum has catapulted him into the world's top 16 rankings.
The situation raised questions about whether an amateur player could receive ranking points for such a significant victory.
Ali Carter appears to be directly affected, as he has dropped outside the top 16 as a result.
JUST IN: Girlfriend of British Superbikes rider suffers double tragedy after previous boyfriend died in crash
ZHAO XINTONG IS THE CHAMPION OF THE WORLD! 🏆#HaloWorldChampionship pic.twitter.com/z8xyRzHHZ2
— WST (@WeAreWST) May 5, 2025
The confusion stemmed from the WST entry pack for players, which appeared to suggest amateur players couldn't retain ranking points.
The entry pack stated: "An amateur player can qualify in the Top 64 however their ranking points will always reset to zero at the start of each season."
This wording led to uncertainty about Zhao's ranking status despite his championship win.
WST has since acknowledged that this particular paragraph "could have been clearer" while maintaining that the principles governing amateur players earning ranking points remain unchanged.
WST issued a statement before the World Championship final clarifying the situation.
READ MORE: Jamie Carragher makes feelings clear on Trent Alexander-Arnold with Liverpool fans furious over exit
"The principle clearly established in snooker is that amateurs can earn prize money and ranking points in the same way that professionals do," it read.
The statement confirmed Zhao "will keep the rankings points he has earned" and will be "seeded second for most events next season".
This means Zhao will indeed rise to number 11 in the world rankings despite his amateur status during the tournament.
World number 10 Mark Allen expressed his frustration on social media about the situation.
"What's the point in having rules/criteria if you just change it after the fact whenever suits? I'm baffled how people can't see how poor this is," Allen wrote.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
WPBSA chairman Jason Ferguson addressed the controversy when questioned by Ken Doherty on the BBC.
Doherty noted that players were "up in arms" about the situation.
Ferguson explained: "It's not actually a rule change, it's a scenario that's never happened before."
He clarified that this was unprecedented as amateur players rarely earn enough points to break into the top rankings.
The controversy surrounding Zhao's participation extends beyond his ranking status.
Mark Williams cut a dejected figure as Zhao Xintong won the World Snooker Championship
PA
Questions were raised about whether he should have been allowed to play on the amateur circuit at all this season.
His 20-month ban from the sport was extended by the Chinese Billiards and Snooker Association to run until July 2025.
Entry forms for the Q Tour state that players must be "in good standing" with their national federation.
Zhao's status with his national federation appeared to contradict this requirement.
