The latest update to the WPBSA’s record of disciplinary cases reveals fines for Chinese superstar Ding Junhui and World Seniors champion Alfie Burden.
While some disciplinary outcomes are published individually, snooker’s governing body periodically updates their list of cases, unveiling some more punishments.
Ding was hit with a fine for ‘publicly criticising snooker parties in social media posts’ at the 2024 Scottish Open.
The former world number one criticised the tables at the Edinburgh event on Chinese social media site Weibo after losing 4-3 to Luca Brecel.
‘I have never played on a s*** table like this – the bounce on the cushion was the same as that of a spring. How can one control the cue ball on such a table?’ Ding wrote, via the South China Morning Post.
‘A bunch of amateur table installers packed up a pile of s*** for the professional players to play with, and you dare call yourself a professional event.’
WST responded in a statement, which read: ‘All the tables provided by Xingpai around the world have always been the best. We have a rigorous table-testing programme to provide the best playing conditions for all events.
‘We also employ the best table installation team in the world. With their excellent skills and vast experience, they are able to overcome various challenges in every game to ensure that the game conditions are optimal.
‘Ding made some negative comments this week after his loss to Brecel, which we strongly oppose. These comments are isolated as we have not received any negative feedback from other players this week regarding the playing conditions.’
Ding was fined £4,000 for his comments, although £2,500 of which was suspended to March 13, 2025. He also had to pay £975 in costs.
Burden was hit with a £1,500 fine and given a formal warning as to his future behaviour due to ‘inappropriate behaviour’ in a World Seniors Championship qualifying match in April.
The 48-year-old went on to win the World Seniors Championship at the Crucible in May and remembers the incident as ‘punching the table a couple of times and swearing.’
The list of disciplinary outcomes also included Matt Selt’s £10,000 fine and suspended three-month ban for aggressive and abusive behaviour, which has previously been reported.
It was also confirmed that Mark Allen was fined £4,000, of which £2,500 suspended until March 5, 2026 and he had to pay costs of £1,753 for ‘publicly criticising snooker parties in TV interview and live newspaper interview.’
This was regarding Allen hitting out at table fitters at the 2024 British Open and saying the tables should be burned.
‘The conditions out there are absolutely embarrassing,’ Allen told ITV after beating Gary Wilson 4-3 at the British Open. ‘It’s some of the worst weather outside and they’ve left the massive transport doors open. It’s so cold, it’s so humid out there.
‘There’s new guys doing the tables this year and they’re clearly not up to it. The cushions are unplayable, uncontrollable. It was heavy. The table needs to be burned.’
WST said in a statement: ‘Our table-fitting team has been consistent for some time and works to the highest standards. The weather in the area has seen unprecedented rainfall over the last couple of days which can negatively influence the conditions. We have raised the issue of an open door with the venue.’