STUART BINGHAM says Leo Fernandez’s ban is a stark reminder that corruption in snooker is “just not worth it”.
Ireland’s Ferandez, 40, has been suspended from the sport for 15 months after he admitted he deliberately played a foul shot in a World Championship qualifier in April which enabled others to profit from betting.
Bingham, 40, said: “I turned pro at the same time as Leo in 1995 and we came through together so this came as a shock to me.
“I think betting gives players lower down the rankings a chance to get a bit of money on the side.
“But I’ve spoken to snooker’s chief of anti-corruption Nigel Mawer and he says they monitor all the betting patterns and all of the shots – so you are not going to get away with it and it is just not worth it.”
Ball Run made the long trip to the Indian Open at the start of July but came home after a last 16 defeat to an eventual finalist for the second time in the season’s opening two tournaments.
After defeat to Michael Holt at the Riga Masters last month, Bingham saw off Steven Hallworth (4-3) and Matthew Stevens (4-3) in Hyderbad before a 4-0 loss to Anthony McGill, who beat Kyren Wilson 5-2 in the final for his first title.
Bingham said: “I’m happy with how I have been hitting the ball and my general game but I’ve just come up against a couple of guys in good form I think.
“Anthony has been playing well for a couple of seasons now and he is on is way to becoming one of the best players in the world.
“I was 63 up in the first frame but he fluked a red and cleared up to win. And – after seeing how calm he was playing and how well he was potting – I did think I could be in trouble against him – and that is how it turned out.”
Bingham and his family moved into their new home in Basildon this week and the 2015 world champion was excited to see his new practice table installed.
But he will have to wait a few weeks to use it as he flies to China on Friday to compete at the World Open (July 25-31).
Bingham, who starts against Grimsby’s Stuart Carrington, will warm up in a tournament which will feature Kyren Wilson and Jimmy White.
He said: “The are 200 players in the warm-up event but I’ll be seeded into the last 32 and it will be useful because I will need to be at my best to get past Stuart at the World Open.”
