Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/891637
maltatoday WEDNESDAY 25 OCTOBER 2017 Sport 21 SNOOKER TENNIS Former world champion Bingham banned for betting offences Former world snooker champion Stuart Bingham has been banned for six months for infringing betting rules over a 12-year period, the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) said in a statement yesterday. THE 41-year-old Englishman was found guilty of breaking rules on betting on matches involving himself and other players following an investiga- tion by the WPBSA. The ruling body said he bet in his own name, used proxy ac- counts and an account under his manager's name, wagering 35,771 pounds ($47,000) be- tween 2003-15. Bingham's ban is immediate with three months suspended for a year. The world number 10, who must also pay 20,000 pounds in costs, is free to com- pete again on Jan. 26. Under the rules, players are barred from betting on any aspect of sanctioned tourna- ments. The WPBSA said there was no suggestion Bingham was involved "in any corrupt activity" or failed to perform to the best of his ability in matches. "It is very disappointing to see such a high profile player fall foul of the WPBSA Betting Rules. Stuart is a great com- petitor and I have no doubt he has always played to the best of his ability," WPBSA Chairman Jason Ferguson said. Bingham, world champion in 2015, was not immediately available for comment. Djokovic, Wawrinka to return to action in Abu Dhabi FORMER world number one Novak Djokovic and Swit- zerland's Stan Wawrinka will return from lengthy in- jury breaks at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship (MWTC) exhibition event in Abu Dhabi in December. After a poor run of form this year Djokovic retired from his Wimbledon quarter-final against Czech Tomas Berdych in July and the 30-year-old ended his season shortly af- terwards due to a right elbow injury. "The line-up is very strong as always and it will be the perfect way to make my comeback and begin the sea- son. Abu Dhabi is an amazing place and this is going to be a great event for all of the fans," Djokovic told the tournament website. Three-times grand slam winner Wawrinka did not de- fend his U.S. Open title this year and announced the end of his season in August due to a knee injury. "The fans are amazing there and the draw is as strong as always with a lot of great play- ers. My recovery is going well and I can't wait to be back on court," Wawrinka said. World number one Rafa Nadal, Austrian Dominic Thiem, Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta and Canadian Milos Raonic will also compete in the tournament from Dec. 28-30. Stuart Bingham