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BBC News
14-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
King loses appeal against snooker match-fixing ban
Snooker player Mark King has lost his appeal against a five-year ban for was handed the ban in November 2024 after an independent disciplinary committee found the Englishman guilty of one count of match-fixing and one count of providing inside information on a former Northern Ireland Open champion was suspended by the sport's world governing body, the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA), on 18 March was after suspicious betting was reported on his match against Joe Perry on 13 February that year at the Welsh Open, which King lost 4-0. Perry was not accused of any was ordered to pay over £68,000 in costs and banned from the sport for five 51, contested the punishment and his appeal was heard by an independent appeals committee on 8-9 April former world number 11 presented four points to be heard within his appeal, one of which he chose to abandon at the start of the stated that bettors placing large sums on 4-1 and 4-2, as well as the actual result of 4-0, weakened the argument that he had agreed to lose also argued that his relationship with one of the people connected to the betting was he complained that the disciplinary committee reached a number of wrong conclusions surrounding his form and an injury he was suffering with going into the match against Perry."Nowhere in this appeal has it been demonstrated that a factual decision is so wrong it could not have been reached, or an evaluative decision is so wrong that it can be said to be unreasonable," the independent appeals committee's final report added: "In our view the committee reached reasonable, rational, logical, clear and reasoned conclusions based on all of the evidence which they clearly considered carefully and we find no reason to interfere with the conclusions it reached."King will be eligible for a return to the sport in March 2028.
The Irish Sun
14-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Disgraced snooker star Mark King LOSES appeal as five-year ban and huge fine for match-fixing is confirmed
SNOOKER star Mark King has lost his appeal against his five-year ban for match fixing. King was handed the ban in November 2024 and handed a £70,000 fine. 1 Mark King has lost his appeal against his ban for match fixing Credit: Getty The former Northern Ireland Open champ was found guilty of "one count of match fixing and one count of providing inside information on that match." He appealed the decision but the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association [WPBSA] have turned it down. A WPBSA statement read: "On 7th November 2024 the Independent Disciplinary Committee delivered its final decision in the case of the WPBSA and Mark King. "He was found guilty of one count of match fixing and one count of providing inside information on his match played against Joe Perry on 13th February 2023. He was suspended from the sport for 5 years and ordered to pay £68,299.50 in costs. "Mark King appealed the decision of the Independent Disciplinary Committee and on 8th April 2025 his appeal was heard by an Independent Appeals Committee Chaired by Philip Evans KC. "On 13th May 2025 the Independent Appeals Committee issued its decision on the Appeal. Mr King's Appeal has been refused and the findings against Mr King regarding his match with Joe Perry and in relation to the sanction that was imposed at the original Hearing will stand. "A decision regarding the costs of the Appeal will be made in due course." King was initially in March 2023, a month after his match against Perry. Most read in Snooker THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY.. The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video . Like us on Facebook at
Wales Online
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
World snooker champion 'really serious' about pursuing new sport in shock admission
World snooker champion 'really serious' about pursuing new sport in shock admission Belgium's Luca Brecel has confirmed he is "really serious" about his ambition to compete in an Ironman triathlon, despite scepticism from some quarters Luca Brecel of Belgium (Image: Getty Images ) Former world snooker champion Luca Brecel has reaffirmed his commitment to pursuing his Ironman ambitions, despite sceptics questioning his decision. The 30-year-old, who recently reached the quarter-finals at the Crucible before being defeated by Judd Trump, has been diligently training for the triathlon challenge with the goal of competing in 2028. Since claiming the sport's top prize two years ago, Brecel has sparked debate with his approach to snooker. His prioritisation of Ironman training has led to a decline in his world rankings. He has even hosted his own training camps in Majorca and travelled to and from the Spanish island during last year's Northern Ireland Open. After his loss to Trump in Sheffield, he confessed to struggling with focus during lengthy matches and expressed his dislike for extended stays in England. Undeterred, Brecel remains determined to tackle the demanding event, which consists of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile cycle ride, and a 26.2-mile run. Article continues below During last year's Northern Ireland Open, where he balanced his training schedule with matches before losing to China's Pang Junxu, he addressed his doubters and pledged to seek professional guidance for his fitness regimen. "It is a really big ambition of mine - some people think it's a joke, but I'm really serious about it," he said. "That's the main focus, and Majorca is a good environment to train, a lot of the pro cyclists go out there.", reports the Express. Brecel said: "I'm going to focus on cycling and running for the next two years, and then I'll pick up swimming. "A Belgian, Frederik van Lierde, won the Ironman World Championship in 2013, so I might ask him to coach me a little bit. That's on the cards." He has also dismissed claims he is using his sport to justify his repeated trips to Majorca claiming it isn't a sunshine vacation. Article continues below "For me being in Majorca is not really about the sunshine, it's about the temperature and it's a good environment to train," he said. "It's not about lying on the beach, I haven't seen the beach yet, it's all about training." The former world number two has improved since his results dropped earlier this season.
Wales Online
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Snooker players currently banned includes former world champion and match-fixers
Snooker players currently banned includes former world champion and match-fixers Every snooker player currently banned from competing, including an ex-world champion and half of those involved in the match-fixing scandal that rocked the sport to its core A number of big names have served bans from snooker (Image:) The World Snooker Championship is heading towards an exciting finale this weekend. Seven-time Crucible champion Ronnie O'Sullivan is locked in a battle with Chinese qualifier Zhao Xintong, with the score at 4-4 after the first session. In the other semi, world No.1 Judd Trump is up against three-time world champion Mark Williams, who was trailing 5-3 after the opening session. The semi-finals are set to conclude on Saturday, with the final scheduled for Sunday and Monday. Other players will be watching from afar after being eliminated earlier in the tournament or failing to qualify. Meanwhile, some are currently serving suspensions handed down by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA). Here's a rundown of the players currently serving snooker bans.... Mark King King is currently serving a five-year ban after being found guilty of match-fixing. An independent disciplinary committee found the 51-year-old guilty of one count of match-fixing and one count of providing inside information on a match. The WPBSA suspended the former Northern Ireland Open champion in March 2023 following suspicious betting activity reported on his match with Joe Perry in the previous month's Welsh Open. King was ordered to pay £68,000 in costs. Two other charges relating to King's match with John Higgins on December 13, 2022 were dismissed. King's suspension runs from March 18, 2023, until March 17, 2028. Article continues below Mark King has three years left to serve on his ban (Image: Getty ) Graeme Dott Graeme Dott, 47, who won the World Championship in 2006, has been suspended after being charged with child sex abuse offences involving primary school-age children. A WPBSA statement, issued on the eve of the World Championship, said: "Graeme Dott has been suspended by the WPBSA due to a case which is scheduled to be heard before the High Court in Scotland. Whilst court proceedings are ongoing, it would be inappropriate for the WPBSA to make any further comment." Match-fixing scandal Ten Chinese players were handed bans in 2023 following the match-fixing scandal that sent shockwaves through the sport. Punishments varied from suspensions of less than two years to lifetime bans for Liang Wenbo and Li Hang. The pair were both found guilty of a string of charges, including that they fixed or were party to fixing matches; solicited, induced, enticed, persuaded, encouraged or facilitated players to fix matches; that they attempted to cover up their involvement in match fixing while aware of the enquiry. Five of the other eight players are still serving bans - Lu Ning, Yan Bingtao, Bai Langning, Chen Zifan and Zhang Jiankang. Zhao Xintong has returned from his ban in style with some superb Crucible showings (Image: 2025 Getty Images ) Bans served Zhao, who received the lightest punishment of the 10, saw his 30-month ban reduced to 20 months due to his early admission of guilt. He returned to snooker last year, qualifying for the UK Championship, before coming through qualifying to reach the Crucible. The former UK champion will be back on the tour full-time next season. Chang Bingyu, who completed his ban in December 2024, will also rejoin the tour next season following his recent victory at the Asia-Pacific Championship. Another player among the 10, Zhao Jianbo, completed his ban this April and is now eligible to resume his career. Stephen Lee, who was handed a record 12-year ban for accepting payment to influence the outcome of a match, has shown no signs of returning to competitive snooker since his ban expired in October 2024. Four-time world champion Higgins received a six-month suspension and a £75,000 fine in 2010 for not reporting an illegal approach and for giving the impression that he would breach betting rules. The Scottish legend, the target of a sting by the defunct News of the World newspaper, was exonerated of match-fixing allegations. Article continues below Stephen Lee can play snooker again (Image: PA ) In 2017, Stuart Bingham was banned for six months for violating WPBSA regulations regarding betting on matches that included himself and other players. The world champion of 2015 was fined £20,000. The WPBSA clarified that there was no indication Bingham intended to "influence matches or engage in any corrupt activity". Stephen Maguire was banned from IBSF tournaments for three years in 2000 after a hotel room in China was damaged. Despite denying responsibility, the now 44-year-old declined to identify those responsible, according to reports at the time.
Daily Mirror
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Suspended snooker players including former world champion and match-fixers
A rundown of the snooker players currently banned from competing, including an ex-world champion and those involved in the match-fixing scandal that rocked the sport The World Snooker Championship is set for a thrilling conclusion this weekend. Seven-time Crucible champion Ronnie O'Sullivan is battling it out with Chinese qualifier Zhao Xintong, with the score level at 4-4 after the first session. Meanwhile, world No. 1 Judd Trump is facing off against three-time world champion Mark Williams, who was trailing 5-3 after the opening session. The semi-finals will wrap up on Saturday, with the final set for Sunday and Monday. Other players will be observing from a distance after being knocked out earlier in the tournament or failing to qualify. Meanwhile, some are currently serving suspensions handed down by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA). Here's a rundown of the players currently serving bans from snooker.... Mark King King is serving a five-year ban after being found guilty of match-fixing. An independent disciplinary committee found the 51-year-old guilty of one count of match-fixing and one count of providing inside information on a match. The WPBSA suspended the former Northern Ireland Open champion in March 2023 after suspicious betting activity was reported on his match with Joe Perry in the previous month's Welsh Open. King was ordered to pay £68,000 in costs. Two other charges relating to King's match with John Higgins on December 13, 2022 were dismissed. King's suspension is set from March 18, 2023, until March 17, 2028. Graeme Dott Dott has been suspended after being charged with child sex abuse offences. The 47-year-old is accused of two charges relating to primary school-age children. Dott, who clinched the World Championship title in 2006 and was a finalist in 2004 and 2010, has been banned by the WPBSA amidst the ongoing legal proceedings. The WPBSA said: "Graeme Dott has been suspended by the WPBSA due to a case which is scheduled to be heard before the High Court in Scotland. Whilst court proceedings are ongoing, it would be inappropriate for the WPBSA to make any further comment." Match-fixing scandal A total of 10 Chinese players received bans in 2023 as part of a huge match-fixing scandal which rocked the sport. Suspensions ranged from one year and eight months to lifetime bans for Liang Wenbo and Li Hang. The pair were both found guilty of a string of charges, including that they fixed or were party to fixing matches; solicited, induced, enticed, persuaded, encouraged or facilitated players to fix matches; that they attempted to cover up their involvement in match fixing while aware of the enquiry. Five of the other eight players are still serving bans - Lu Ning, Yan Bingtao, Bai Langning, Chen Zifan and Zhang Jiankang. Bans served O'Sullivan's semi-final opponent Zhao, who received the lightest punishment of the 10, saw his 30-month ban reduced to 20 months due to his early admission of guilt. He returned to action last year, qualifying for the UK Championship, where he lost in the first round, before coming through qualifying to reach the Crucible. The former UK champion will be back on the tour full-time next season. Chang Bingyu, whose ban ended in December 2024, will join Zhao back tour next season after recently winning Asia-Pacific Championship. The latest player of the 10 free to resume his career is Zhao Jianbo, who completed his ban in April. Four-time world champion John Higgins was banned for six months and fined £75,000 in 2010 for failing to report the illegal approach and intentionally giving the impression he was prepared to act in breach of betting rules. The Scot, who was the target of a sting operation by the now-defunct News of the World, was cleared of match-fixing. In 2017, Stuart Bingham was found guilty of breaking WPBSA rules on betting on matches involving himself and other players. The 2015 world champion was ordered to pay £20,000 in costs. The WPBSA said there was no suggestion that he aimed to "influence matches or engage in any corrupt activity". Stephen Lee was found guilty of accepting payment to influence the outcome of a match and received a record 12-year ban, which expired in October 2024. There has been no indication that the now 50-year-old is planning a return to competitive snooker. In 2000, Stephen Maguire was banned from IBSF tournaments for three years for an incident that left a hotel room in China damaged. Maguire, now 44, denied responsibility, but declined to reveal the guilty parties, reported The Herald at the time.
