John Higgins at centre of bribe scam
John Higgins has vowed to clear his name and his reputation following allegations made by undercover filming that he agreed to throw frames away in return for money. A report from the News of the World reveals Higgins with his manager, Pat Mooney, agreeing on a price of £261,000, to throw frames in four separate matches in the World Series later this year. The footage shows Higgins and his manager in a Ukrainian hotel in Kiev talking about the best way to cover up the money he receives and how easy it would be to decide the outcome of a frame.
The 34-year-old released a statement yesterday pledging to clear his name and save his reputation. “My conscience is one hundred per cent clear. Today is the start of the biggest match of my life. I will co-operate fully with the snooker authorities. I have built my reputation on honesty and integrity. Sadly, others have now damaged that reputation and it is now left to me to clear my name. I have never been involved in any form of snooker match-fixing. In my 18 years playing professional snooker I have never deliberately missed a shot, never mind intentionally lost a frame or a match.
“In all honestly I became very worried at the way the conversation developed in Kiev. When it was suggested that I throw frames in return for large sums of money, I was really spooked. I just wanted to get out of the hotel and onto the plane home. I didn't know if this was the Russian Mafia or who we were dealing with. At that stage I felt the best course of action was just to play along with these guys and get out of Ukraine. Those who know me are aware of my love for snooker and that I would never do anything to damage the integrity of the sport I love,” said the world No.1.
Higgins has been suspended from future WPBSA tournaments pending immediate investigations. Mooney has since resigned from the WPBSA board with immediate effect.
There is no evidence to suggest that Higgins has ever thrown away a frame or fixed a match.
WPBSA chairman Barry Hearn revealed that the enquiry will find the outcome in a matter of “days and weeks” rather than “months and months”. “Basically my view is if the allegations are found, then obviously his whole career is in doubt,” said Hearn. “He should be aware of that and give it some thought, obviously. Get advice, independent advice.
"I don't feel sorry for anyone. As much as I would class John as a nice guy, the game is at stake here. Whatever the penalty is, it sends out a message to everyone. This is a major international globalised sport, these are the rules, don't break them.”
The allegations have put a dark cloud over snooker and have overshadowed the world championship final between Neil Robertson and Graeme Dott. A meeting with Hearn and the players was set to take place on Wednesday to discuss his new proposals to revamp snooker, but Hearn has now revealed that this issue “is top of the agenda.”
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