Hearn aims to keep game on cue after Higgins fiasco

BARRY HEARN has vowed to do whatever it takes to avoid the “nightmare scenario” of another corruption scandal engulfing this year’s Betfred.com World Championship.

World Snooker chairman Hearn insisted he would not tolerate the Crucible showpiece being marred in the same manner as last year’s Sheffield final.

The eve of the final saw the publication of a tabloid sting on three-time champion and world number one John Higgins, who was accused of agreeing to take a bribe to fix matches.

Higgins was ultimately cleared of that charge but was suspended for six months for giving the impression he would be willing to lose frames as well as failing to report the approach made to him.

Hearn admitted the scandal ultimately had a cleansing effect on snooker but warned that the sport must be eternally vigilant.

“In reality, you have to consider nightmare scenarios every day of your life,” said Hearn. “Whether it’s a security issue, whether it’s an integrity issue. Despite the bad publicity, despite the problems during the World Championship, we came out of it stronger.

“We actually realised we’re not untouchable. That gave us the opportunity to cure it as well, and I think we made major strides.”

Hearn set up an ‘Integrity Unit’ to police the game but also, crucially, increased the number of tournaments in a bid to avoid players being tempted to stray in the first place.

“We always needed to create more reason to play your best at all times,” he said. “There’s too much to lose now, whereas, before, there wasn’t enough to lose.”

Monday’s draw saw Higgins and Ronnie O’Sullivan handed tough-looking first-round matches against Stephen Lee and Dominic Dale, respectively.

Defending champion Neil Robertson was paired with rising star Judd Trump and seven-time winner Stephen Hendry with Joe Perry.

Resurgent two-time champion Mark Williams faces fellow Welshman Ryan Day, and Ding Junhui, tipped by many to land his maiden world title, meets Jamie Burnett.