Higgins cries foul at fix claims

JOHN HIGGINS last night insisted his conscience was “100% clear” but the three-time world snooker champion will have to justify his behaviour to the sport’s new disciplinary chief after being filmed offering to fix frame results.

Higgins was yesterday suspended from the sport following the allegations which rocked snooker on the opening day of the World Championship final.

He denies any wrongdoing, saying: “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.”

If found guilty, Higgins could face a career-ruining ban.

Former Metropolitan Police detective chief superintendent David Douglas will head an investigation into the claims. Douglas was last month handed a position on the board of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, tasked with ensuring the sport operates above board. The WPBSA are devastated such a major case has arisen within weeks of his appointment.

WPBSA chairman Barry Hearn explained that should the allegations which Higgins faces be proven, the 34-year-old Scot would face a “very, very, very lengthy ban”.

Hearn said: “This matter has brought the very fabric of the game into question and the strongest possible message needs to be sent out that this behaviour has no part in our game and will not be tolerated. Any wrongdoing will be severely dealt with.”

In 2006, Australian Quinten Hann was banned for eight years after agreeing in conversations with undercover reporters to lose a game at the China Open in return for money.

Higgins yesterday claimed he felt the undercover reporter posing as a businessman might have been “Russian Mafia”, prompting him to agree to the proposals being put to him – with no intention of carrying them out.

Higgins and his manager Pat Mooney were covertly filmed at a meeting which the News of the World say took place in Kiev, in the days after Higgins’ World Championship second-round defeat to Steve Davis.

Mooney yesterday resigned from his seat on the WPBSA board but claimed he and Higgins had been “intimidated” to the point they agreed to say whatever it would take to get away from the meeting. The newspaper alleges Higgins agreed an offer of £261,000 (€300,000) to lose frames in four matches, as part of a conspiracy to cheat bookmakers.

Higgins said: “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. My conscience is 100% clear.”

In his statement, he said: “In all honesty 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 Russia (sic).”

Hearn took up his WPBSA role last December and brought Mooney onto the board in January.

Hearn said: “We want this matter dealt with as quickly as possible. It will be in days and weeks rather than months and months.

“I take the view that this is a very serious matter. It is a matter that affects the integrity of the sport, potentially.

“It would be wrong of me to try to judge the length of bans. It falls outside my responsibility.

“But clearly if allegations were founded you would be talking about a very, very, very lengthy ban.”

Quitting the WPBSA crossed Hearn’s mind when he learned of the allegations.

“I have advisers who are advising me to do exactly that but my reaction is to stick with the ship,” he said.

He added: “It is one of the most disappointing days I’ve had in 35 years of being in professional sport.”

Mooney, said he and Higgins agreed to say they would go along with the plans, but only so they could make an exit from an uncomfortable situation.

Mooney said: “It just came to a head where we agreed, myself and John Higgins, to say whatever the hell we need to do to get out of there and get safely back on the flight.

“We had been intimidated for the best part of 24 hours.”

The News of the World said it was “surprised at Pat Mooney’s comments that he felt intimidated whilst in Kiev given his relaxed manner and enthusiasm throughout his stay”.

A spokeswoman for the paper said: “Mr Mooney also had three previous meetings during recent months with our investigations editor at bars and restaurants of his choosing in Edinburgh, a city he knows very well.

“We assume Mr Mooney did not feel intimidated during these meetings where he openly discussed John Higgins and match-fixing.”