Six-month ban for Higgins

World number one to return to snooker in November

Last updated: 9th September 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Six-month ban for Higgins

Higgins: Back by November

I've never been involved in any form of snooker match fixing. In my 18 years playing professional snooker I've never intentionally missed a shot never mind intentionally lost a frame or match.

John Higgins
Quotes of the week

Also see

John Higgins has been handed a six-month suspension and fined £75,000 after admitting "intentionally giving the impression to others that (he was) agreeing to act in breach of the betting rules" and failing to report the matter to World Snooker.

The more serious charges of "agreeing or offering" to accept bribes and "agreeing to engage in corrupt or fraudulent conduct" were withdrawn by the association following the two-day hearing in London.

Higgins was videoed agreeing to throw frames of snooker by undercover journalists at a meeting in Kiev, but had argued that he never intended to go through with the claims.

World Snooker agreed to drop two of the charges after accepting Higgins' version of events, as the Scottish cueman claimed that he only played along with the undercover journalists in order to get out of the meeting as soon as possible.

Handing out the punishment, Mr Ian Mill QC said that a six-month ban for Higgins and £75,000 fine were appropriate, and since he has been suspended since May he can return to snooker on November 1.

Charges

Higgins' manager Pat Mooney also had two charges dropped and also admitted the two other charges, but in summing up Mill laid the blame at his door - saying he led Higgins to the meetings without telling him that match fixing would be on the agenda.

Mooney has been banned from taking any part in snooker for life, with Mill commenting in his judgement: "I was unimpressed by Mr Mooney as a witness and I found much of his account highly implausible."

After the hearing concluded, Higgins made a statement screened on Sky Sports News voicing his relief at the major charges being dropped.

"I welcome today's judgement following an exhaustive enquiry into allegations against me by a tabloid newspaper," said Higgins.

"I am pleased that the WPBSA and Sports Resolutions have concluded that I was not guilty of any dishonesty and had no intention of fixing a match and no intention of doing anything corrupt.

"The statement I made in May immediately after the newspaper accusation was 100 percent true then as it is 100 percent true today

"I've never been involved in any form of snooker match fixing. In my 18 years playing professional snooker I've never intentionally missed a shot never mind intentionally lost a frame or match.

"If I'm guilty of anything it's naivety in trusting those who I believed were working in the best interests of snooker and myself. I admit that I should have informed the WPBSA of the events immediately on my return from Kiev.

"This has been a traumatic time for me and those close to me. It's been made all the more hurtful by the knowledge that I never have and never would fix a snooker match."

Comments (56)

  • Page 1 of 3
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3

Ian Elliott says...

A lot of people seem to have missed a very important point. It seems that John did not agree to ''Match Fix''. The has been a lot of talk regarding John being financially secure for life, and also world No. 1. Implying that he had no reason to benefit from throwing a few frames. As recently exposed in Cricket - there are huge betting syndicates allover the world that will take bets on irregularities in various sports. I.e. No. of corners in a football match, No. of punches thrown in a round of boxing, how many no-balls are ruled in the 18th inning of the 3rd test at Lords, whether or not the 7th frame of the semi-final of a snooker tournament will be won by a specific player... Some of these are obviously more fixable than others. John Higgins has an exquisite skill set that has rightfully earned him the world No. 1 spot, and multiple ranking titles. It is perfectly reasonable to assume that such a highly decorated player would have the confidence to deliberately lose 2/3 specific frames in a best of 17 match, and still believe he would win. Less than a week ago, Ronnie asked what the prize was for a maximum break - deliberately bringing attention to the fact that there was none. Then made the suggestion that he might not even attempt the final black. Financial interest affects every player in the game, right to the very top. It is my opinion that John had absolutely no intention of losing a match. Just making a tidy side-sum for confindently playing, and winning the sport he loves. As an afterthought - if John beat someone 9-8 in a match that went to the wire, but had arranged to throw the 2nd and 5th frame. Would that not have made for a more exciting finish?

Posted 23:34 26th September 2010

Azi Khan says...

75k is that all thats his pocket money should have been like 2 years ban more like well we did have pakistani cricket in headlines last 2 weeks let see what the outcome of that be wether its the players who want to become big fish in short of tiem or wether its the bookies or fixers that force them god knows sports its not sports anymore we all spend crazy money going to matches or suscribing channels and players just think of themselves.

Posted 01:27 9th September 2010

Dominic Oldman says...

This is a complete whitewash, joke and farce. Snooker is dead.

Posted 00:27 9th September 2010

Robbie Reilly says...

At last common sense prevailed . why would john take a bribe he is number 1 and got enough cash to retire now. he was just led into something by his greedy agent who has been banned for life so lay of john he is the victim.

Posted 22:12 8th September 2010

Graza Shaw says...

Most people commenting here are quick to jump and disgrace John Higgins, but the truth is you don''t know jack. Hes always been a professional, theres no evidence he would have went through with it, you should be slating Pat Mooney for coming up and trying to interpret this plan upon the players. It was wrong for John to agree to it, but it doesnt mean he would have done it. Throwing a frame would turn a match completely around anyway so it wouldnt have worked.

Posted 21:57 8th September 2010

Neil Disson says...

There must be something wrong here. His ban has been back-dated to May whichmakes him eligible to play snooker in November. My theory is he was innocent in May until it was proven he was guilty in September, therefore the ban should have started from the date of conviction rather than the date of the offence. This must have something to do with high profile tournaments coming up and has been arranged in his favour - a bit like buying a person a drink to celebrate a drink driving ban in my opinion !! The system is most certainly incorrect as far as I am concerned !

Posted 21:17 8th September 2010

Reilly Cueman says...

One has to ask why the NOTW went to the trouble of setting such a meeting up in Russia when they could easily have arranged it in the UK. Furthermore, why did they choose Higgins as their target? It strikes me that they had advance notice that Higgins and his manager were open to a bung. All very sad and casts a long shadow over the career of one of the few charismatic figures in the game today. Shame on you John......you may have escaped with a paltry fine and a joke of a suspension but you have ruined the trust many have had in you.

Posted 20:39 8th September 2010

Beatriceann Evans says...

Snooker was my favourite sport!! For shame on hearn he has already brought the sport into disrepute. The video potraid a very happy and gutsy Higgins! It is such a shame when all the other players have to tolerate higgins comback. Stephen Henry and many other players of spotless character are what I want to see in the game.

Posted 20:29 8th September 2010

Phil Burley says...

No one really mentions entrapment. If the police do it, they get severely punished, but a tabloid newspaper can say, "Hey, who shall we set up today,so tnat we can sell more papers?" Higgins has been a victim of that and his own stupidity. Tabloid newspapers can get away with anything, and they know how to. As for Higgins, guilty or not, he will always be tarnished by this, potential greed and real naivety will and should cost him dear, but a six month ban? The board ot the WBPSA would have banned Higgins or O''Sullivan for two lifetimes. RIP Alex, at least you were a true sportsman.

Posted 20:26 8th September 2010

Noel O''keeffe says...

I have always been a big john higgins fan. he appeared to be a gentleman and a great ambassador for snooker. however this judgement is wrong. higgins has been blatantly exposed as a cheat and the rulers of world snooker have bottled it. if higgins wasnt a big name he would have been banned for life. how can anybody thrust this man again on the baize.

Posted 19:23 8th September 2010

Bob Heywood says...

What makes so many people make their mind up and hang a man on an initial accusation and then ignore/ refuse to accept any evidence that comes to light? (Not just in sport but in life generally). Only Higgins knows the truth, we don''t. None of you have heard any hard evidence and are basing your verdicts on sensation seeking media reports.

Posted 18:54 8th September 2010

Richard Swan says...

@Jason Lacey. I did think about it, i didn''t just rant without putting my brain into gear. If he was innocent like you think then he could have just as easily agreed to throw the frames, shook hands and walked out, and then called the WPBSA and informed them he had been approached to cheat. He did not do either of those things. By saying "I thought they were mafia" and then getting cleared of the charges it is opening the door for any sportsmen caught in this type of sting to use that line and get away with it. And as for your comments that the sport needs him, well the sport doesnt need dishonest people like him.

Posted 18:37 8th September 2010

Chris Rooney says...

this is a complete farce we all seen the footage were john higgins was clearly taking the bribe, but like all sports at the minute totally corrupt, should never be allowed to play again £75000 a drop in the ocean for this man hit these greedy sportsmen were it hurts kick them out of there sport for good let them see what the real world is about

Posted 18:21 8th September 2010

Bob O connor says...

Why was Quentin Hann given such a lengthy ban and John Higgin''s gets off with missing one or two tournaments. We have all seen that video, he is as guilty as could be. Snooker has always had one set of rules for players it approves of and another for Alex Higgins, Ronnie O''Sullivan and anyone else they disapprove of. To be honest I can''t see myself watching the sport any longer, its just a farce and Barry Hearn''s word obviously means nothing at all. Congratulations John you cheat, you got away with it.

Posted 18:15 8th September 2010

Dean Fawcett says...

Absolute joke, John Higgins new exactly what he was getting himself into. He''s been exposed and should be banned for life.......... hasn''t he got enough money already? just a greedy man who got caught and is trying to worm his way out of the situation.

Posted 18:05 8th September 2010

Frank Clifton says...

The white wash I expected from the start of this saga. Ten out of ten to the News of The World, if they had not investigate these cheats, the official body''s of sport viz cricket and Snooker, us the public would never hear of such attempts to make a fast buck by the so called sports men. Might I suggest TV media and the sponsors take a serious look at these cases,and decide what is obvious to me after closely studying the video, what action they might take to see we the public are shown true genuine sportsmen performing, and take the action they have to punish the cheats making a fast buck. Frank Clifton.

Posted 17:57 8th September 2010

Barry Hennessy says...

alex higgins would be turning in his grave, he was punished much more for far less breaches of the rule,s. higgins your a disgrace and mr. hearns your a sham

Posted 17:57 8th September 2010

Big "willy" Mason says...

Let''s defend him here, I mean he''s been put on trial and they have returned a not guilty verdict! Leave it be, he is a professional and I don''t think Higgy would ever lose a frame!Who would do it? One frame could swing a whole match!!!!!

Posted 17:56 8th September 2010

Robert Pakiet says...

what a disgrace, i agree with steve leach... world snooker might have just said it''s ok john carry on as you are, but we have to look like we are punishing you for taking betting money.... so we will give you a silly fine and a plaster for your finger,,,,, see you back soon.......... well i won''t be watching snooker no more because it''s all corupt.... sorry if you don''t like the truth, but it''s true..........

Posted 17:44 8th September 2010

Rayz Maynard says...

To be honest I think this is a fair decision. I understand where all the doubters are coming from, but they have just one snippet of a story on which they have based their judgement. The WPBSA spent 6 months investigating the events which occured and received testimonies from those involved. I believe they have made the correct decision given what has come to light in relation to Pat Mooney. The idea that he was integral to the plot of match fixing behind Higgins'' back is awful. Like they say, it was wholly unjustifiable. John Higgins is the world no. 1 and the bottom line is that he has been cleared of match fixing, whether peopple like it or not. I think this is an important day for snooker. Higgins and OSullivan have carried the sport on their backs for the last decade. The idea of Higgins not playing anymore and Ronnie not caring whether he wins or not was horrifying. Snooker is the real winner here, not just Higgins!!

Posted 17:35 8th September 2010
  • Page 1 of 3
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3

Add Comment*

Send us your views

Are you a Sky Sports subscriber?

*All fields required, your email address will be kept private