White out of China Open with 'visa problems'
Jimmy White has been forced to pull out of next week's China Open due to "visa problems".
It is believed that White had a single entry visa to get into China, but then left the country for a two-day promotional trip to Thailand.
When he tried to re-enter China he was refused entry as his trip to Thailand effectively expired his visa.
The six-times World Championship finalist was due to take on local player Tian Pengfei in the wildcard round on Monday.
As a result Tian has been handed a bye into the first round proper where he will take on Mark Selby.
White had won three matches in Sheffield last month in order to qualify for the event.
Mark Williams is the defending champion at the ranking event which has a £325,000 price pool with the winner receiving a cheque for £60,000.
Comment 1 - 14 of 14
Mike, I have a multi entry visa for China and I promise you I'm not a special case, 90 day tourist visas are usually single entry but Jimmy is or was not a tourist. My Chinese business collegues have multi entry visas for the UK and they're not special either, What is it we English say about "The Blind Leading The Blind"
Why the fuss and is all this being blown up out of all proportion he only had to go to Hong Kong (No visa required) and get a new visa 24 hours no problem. Jimmy didn't want to be there or he'd have found a way.
Oooooops..............................! He did so well to reach the final stages too! Bit careless, really. But he always was a bit careless.
Immigration laws ? The U.K ??,..... I'll have a pint of what 'Mike' is drinking.
Why should a snooker player be singled out for special treatment? China only grants single entry visas except in very special circumstances, same in UK, same in US, same everywhere since 9/11. If Jimmy White was unaware of this he has only himself or his manager to blame. To suggest there is any kind of political slight involved is
ridiculous. I am sure the immigration official involved has never heard of Jimmy White!
Alexct84, you need medical assistance mate.
What on earth is alexct84 on about, Could somebody translate into English please? That expression "get a life" is so childish, what does it mean exactly?
What a PRAT!
Well Stainless, i bet you are from UK lowlife whose mind only lingers on remuneration based on sarcasm accusation and threatening for more. How is this for a change if someone to hold your position this way. Do you think the world OWED you or JIMMY WHITE everything.. where you can simple throw such nonsense for some benefits and apologies? Grow up and get a life. Be civilised and courteous.
Stainless are you out of your mind ? Do not you remember that Ding has Visa problems also in PTCs. Could you say it is Political ? .....Every Country has its regulations about visa and people should respect it . This is life, like it or not this is what happen in the outside world
What an idiot, did he not know the terms of his visa and if not, why not? These snooker players are not the brightest of people are they?
John Cheat Higgins has given all snooker players an undeserved reputation for dishonesty.
Jimmy(No Luck)White.......
This is a political faux pas of enormous proportion. A ridiculous self serving Catch 22. Shame on the Chinese officials who perpetrated this nasty display of poor sportmanship. Jimmy certainly deserves some type of monetary remuneration and an apology.
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