Hearn promises ‘zero tolerance’ approach

BARRY HEARN yesterday claimed snooker would lead the way in tackling corruption in sport as he promised a “zero tolerance” approach at the launch of a new integrity unit.

The World Snooker chairman has proposed instant lifetime bans for anyone in the game caught breaching his new rule of “no betting on anything”.

Hearn has enlisted the help of former Metropolitan Police commissioner Lord Stevens, now chairman of Quest, industry leaders in tackling corruption in sport.

Stevens will cooperate with former force colleague David Douglas, who was brought in to lead the governing body’s disciplinary committee in April after allegations were made against world number one John Higgins.

Higgins, who is still serving a six-month suspension for breaching betting rules, will also be involved in the new measures after volunteering to educate young players on the dangers he found himself embroiled in.

Hearn believes he now has the perfect mix of experience to improve intelligence surrounding potential betting scams, to lead investigations into any cases and to prevent players from succumbing to temptation.

Hearn will also introduce the same system for darts and he feels other sports will follow suit.

“It’s time now for all sport to take a grip on itself,” Hearn said. “We live in a world of temptation, we live in a world that requires education of the pitfalls of trusting other people, by being gullible or naive. I promise anyone that watches or is involved that it will be cleaner than clean and that anyone who breaches these rules, the punishment will be Draconian.”

Higgins was cleared of frame-fixing allegations but, at a two-day tribunal earlier this month, admitted intentionally giving the impression to undercover reporters that he would throw frames for financial gain.

Stevens believes betting is the “biggest threat to worldwide sport”.

“You are not going to stop all of it but what you have to do is ensure those people who take the risk of corrupt practices and bribery, the chances are that they will be caught,” he said.

Back at the table, Ronnie O’Sullivan had to be persuaded to pot the black to secure a 147 break at the 12bet.com World Open in Glasgow yesterday after learning there was no bonus prize for a maximum.

O’Sullivan shook hands with Mark King after potting the pink to take his break to 140 in the final frame of his quickfire 3-0 triumph. But referee Jan Verhaas convinced the former world champion to finish off the 10th maximum of his career, putting him in pole position to claim the highest break prize of ‘only’ £4,000 (€4,700). O’Sullivan said: “I wasn’t going to pot the black because to make 147 and not really get a nice bonus was a bit disappointing.

“But the ref played a guilt trip on me and said ‘Come on, do it for your fans‘. And I thought, ‘Okay, because I haven’t got long to play anyway, so I might as well go out on a high.’”

The world number six plays Jimmy White in the fourth round.