Match-fixing scandal on Higgins

"Fix" allegations are rocking snooker. Three-time world snooker champion John Higgins has been suspended from future tournaments over allegations that he accepted money to influence match results as part of a betting scam. That came after a video of Higgins and his agent Pat Mooney making the deal has been released to the public. John Higgins, who relinquished his world title last week, was filmed by British newspaper the News of the World apparently agreeing to accept $300,000 from undercover reporters in Kiev in return for losing certain frames in matches to be played later this year. The video was shot in a hotel in Kiev showing a meeting between Higgins, his agent Pat Mooney and reporters purporting to be businessmen making the deal. It was released just hours before the sport's showpiece world championship final started in Sheffield. The deal was arranged days after Higgins was knocked out of this year's world championship by Steve Davis. But after the video being released, Higgins quickly released a statement saying he had never been involved in match-fixing and, fearing that the conversation in Kiev was with criminals. His agent Pat Mooney had resigned from snooker's governing body. However, Monday saw a statement released by Barry Hearn, chairman of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. According to the statement, Mooney's resignation has been accepted with immediate effect. While Higgins has been suspended from future tournaments, pending an immediate enquiry. The enquiry will be headed by David Douglas and will be carried out with great urgency. The three-time world champion Higgins is now ranked the world No.1. He had created a clearance of 147 for five times since turning professional in 1992 when he was 17.

• 2010-05-05T07:05:24+00:00
• Duration: 02:24

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Fix allegations rocking snooker Three-time world snooker champion John Higgins been suspended from future tournaments over allegations accepted money influence match results part betting scam came after video Higgins agent Pat Mooney making deal been released public John Higgins relinquished world title last week filmed British newspaper News World apparently agreeing accept $300 000 from undercover reporters Kiev return losing certain frames matches played later year video shot hotel Kiev showing meeting between Higgins agent Pat Mooney reporters purporting businessmen making deal released just hours before sport's showpiece world championship final started Sheffield deal arranged days after Higgins knocked year's world championship Steve Davis But after video being released Higgins quickly released statement saying never been involved match-fixing fearing conversation Kiev with criminals agent Pat Mooney resigned from snooker's governing body However Monday saw statement released Barry Hearn chairman World Professional Billiards Snooker Association According statement Mooney's resignation been accepted with immediate effect While Higgins been suspended from future tournaments pending an immediate enquiry enquiry will headed David Douglas will carried with great urgency three-time world champion Higgins ranked world created clearance 147 five times since turning professional 1992 when 17