Liang Wenbo has been suspended from snooker by the WPBSA for a second time in 2022, it was announced on Thursday.
The former ranking event winner from China was given a four-month ban earlier this year after being found guilty of assault following a criminal case.
The conviction in April, which coincided with the World Championship qualifiers that he then missed, led to him being handed a fine and a 12-month community order.
It is unclear what the current suspension is in relation to, with the WPBSA only referring to allegations of misconduct.
A 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 won the English Open in 2016 and reached a career-high in the world rankings list of number 11 not long after.
This week, the 35 year-old was due to face Peter Lines in the qualifying round for the current edition of the English Open, but the latter has been given a walkover.
Liang was previously suspended between April and August, which resulted in him missing the World Snooker Championship of last season along with the Championship League and European Masters of this term.
He returned in time for the British Open and Northern Ireland Open but lost in the preliminary rounds of both events.
Liang did win his opening fixture in the Scottish Open, but it is unclear whether he’ll be able to continue his participation in that tournament towards the end of next month.
Liang Wenbo’s Career Summary
Liang Wenbo qualified to compete on the Main Tour as a professional on the back of his success at the 2005 IBSF World Under-21 Championship.
Still a teenager at the time, he quickly gained a reputation as being the second best product of China’s new boom, behind only Ding Junhui.
In 2008 he reached the quarter-finals of the World Championship, and a year later Liang reached the final of the Shanghai Masters where he came up just short in a 10-5 reverse to Ronnie O’Sullivan.
Over the next few years he struggled with inconsistency and temperament issues.
CLICK HERE: Liang Wenbo Player Profile
There were glimpses of the talent he had at his disposal – none more so than at the 2015 UK Championship when he embarked on a run to the final only to be denied glory in a Triple Crown event by Neil Robertson.
Everything then finally fell perfectly into place at the English Open less than 12 months later, when he memorably jumped with elation upon capturing a maiden ranking title.
There have been other special moments in his career, notably at the World Cup alongside Ding – a tournament the pair won in both 2011 and 2017.
Featured photo credit: WST
