Former world champion Shaun Murphy says snooker is better for having Zhao Xintong in it after the Chinese player made his return to top-level competition following a 20-month ban.

Zhao, 27, was one of 10 players banned in a corruption scandal but, after a suspension of one year and eight months, has returned and qualified as an amateur for the UK Championship – the competition he won in 2021.

He did not directly throw a match but was initially suspended for two and a half years, reduced after his early admissions and guilty plea. He accepted charges of being a party to another player fixing two matches and betting on matches himself.

“Xintong was always a slightly different case to the others,” said Murphy, who beat Zhao 6-5 in the opening round of the UK Championship on Saturday at the York Barbican.

“He was not a cheat, he did break the rules but admitted that and served his punishment. He should be allowed to move on and come back to the sport when he qualifies. The game is better for having Xintong in it.”