Wuhan to Play Host as World Snooker Returns to China

China's Ding Junhui in action at the 2018 Shanghai Masters. AFP
China's Ding Junhui in action at the 2018 Shanghai Masters. AFP
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Wuhan to Play Host as World Snooker Returns to China

China's Ding Junhui in action at the 2018 Shanghai Masters. AFP
China's Ding Junhui in action at the 2018 Shanghai Masters. AFP

The World Snooker Tour hailed the "momentous announcement" of three tournaments in China this year, including one in Wuhan, as the return of international sport to the country gathers pace.

Almost all international sports events were cancelled in China after Covid emerged in Wuhan in late 2019, and they are only just returning after travel curbs were lifted.

The World Snooker Tour will stage the first professional snooker tournament in mainland China in four years with the showpiece Shanghai Masters on September 11-17, the WST said.

That will be followed by the Wuhan Open on October 9-15 and the International Championship in November at a Chinese city yet to be confirmed, AFP reported.

Total prize money for three events combined will be more than £2 million ($2.5 million).

"This is a momentous announcement for our sport as we ramp up our return to staging events in Asia," said WST chairman Steve Dawson.

"Throughout the pandemic we have maintained dialogue and relationships with the Chinese Billiards and Snooker Association as well as our key partners and promoters across China.

"This has allowed us to make a fast return to staging key events now that travel restrictions have lifted."

In a nod to snooker's popularity in the world's most populous country, Dawson added: "We will continue to explore opportunities to stage further events in China and beyond."



Real Madrid’s Rudiger Rebuked by Germany’s Sporting Director Over Ice Incident in Copa del Rey 

Real Madrid's Antonio Rudiger, left, challenges for the ball with Barcelona's Ferran Torres during the Spanish Copa del Rey final soccer match between Barcelona and Real Madrid at Estadio de La Cartuja stadium in Seville, Spain, Sunday, April 27, 2025. (AP)
Real Madrid's Antonio Rudiger, left, challenges for the ball with Barcelona's Ferran Torres during the Spanish Copa del Rey final soccer match between Barcelona and Real Madrid at Estadio de La Cartuja stadium in Seville, Spain, Sunday, April 27, 2025. (AP)
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Real Madrid’s Rudiger Rebuked by Germany’s Sporting Director Over Ice Incident in Copa del Rey 

Real Madrid's Antonio Rudiger, left, challenges for the ball with Barcelona's Ferran Torres during the Spanish Copa del Rey final soccer match between Barcelona and Real Madrid at Estadio de La Cartuja stadium in Seville, Spain, Sunday, April 27, 2025. (AP)
Real Madrid's Antonio Rudiger, left, challenges for the ball with Barcelona's Ferran Torres during the Spanish Copa del Rey final soccer match between Barcelona and Real Madrid at Estadio de La Cartuja stadium in Seville, Spain, Sunday, April 27, 2025. (AP)

Antonio Rudiger needs to show “class” and respect for others, German national team sporting director Rudi Voller has said, after the defender appeared to throw ice toward the referee during Real Madrid’s Copa del Rey loss to Barcelona.

Rudiger shouted at the referee and seemed to throw a small bag of ice during extra time in Madrid’s 3-2 loss to Barcelona on Saturday.

Rudiger has since apologized for his behavior, but the incident prompted former Germany player Dietmar Hamann to call Sunday for the defender to be left out of Germany’s squad for the Nations League final four in June.

“You can’t do that. And especially not as a player for the German national team. He needs to change that and he knows that himself, his public reaction shows that,” Voller told the dpa news agency in comments published Monday.

“Toni is a classy player, but as a player for the German national team he also needs to display class in his behavior. He rightly demands respect for himself (and) he needs to show this same respect to others without exception,” he added.

Voller’s comments did not address whether Rudiger’s conduct could have any impact on national team selection. He added he didn’t want Rudiger to tone down his emotional approach to the game.

“Toni is an excellent soccer player and a very emotional guy, a fighter on the field,” Voller said. “And he should stay that way.”

Germany plays Portugal in the Nations League semifinals in Munich on June 4.