Latest news with #WPBSA
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Snooker star who was suspended for match-fixing says match-fixers should be banned for life
SUSPENDED snooker star Mark King has insisted that any player found guilty of match-fixing should be banned for life. King is currently suspended until March 2028 after being found guilty of fixing a match against Joe Perry in 2023. 2 He was first suspended in 2023 and admits its taken a toll on his family Credit: PA:Press Association 2 The former Northern Ireland open champions was found guilty of match fixing Credit: Getty But the 51-year-old told "If you're guilty, that's it, you should never be allowed to play again." King, who was first suspended by snooker's governing body in March 2023 after suspicious betting patterns were flagged following his 4-0 loss to Joe Perry at the Welsh Open in February that year. Perry was not under suspicion and King has consistently denied the charges. READ MORE IN SNOOKER After losing an appeal in May, he was hit with a staggering £113,000 cost order. In November 2024, the former Northern Ireland Open champion was found guilty and banned until March 2028. The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) made it clear that there's no more serious violation than match-fixing, adding they had thoroughly investigated the case. The body said in a statement: "There was strong evidence against King, and this led to action under the WPBSA's Conduct Regulations." Most read in Snooker King admitted the scandal had taken a toll on his personal life, with his wife suffering serious health problems during the investigation. He revealed: "The hardest part of this has been seeing what it's done to my wife. Championship League snooker match awkwardly interrupted by Ice Cream Van "She had a pacemaker fitted not long after it all started, and it's been really tough on her." The Essex player, who once reached No.11 in the world, is also a recovering gambling addict and said the entire ordeal had severely impacted his mental health. While the WPBSA emphasised the support available for players, including counselling and legal advice, King described his struggles. He also admits despite receiving emotional support from close friends like three-time world champion Mark Williams, who called just to check on him, King is still facing financial strain due to his suspension. He said: "I don't have £113,000 lying around. "I'm out of work at 51, and I tried doing a bit of labouring, but it was too much for me." With just under three years remaining on his suspension, King is uncertain about his future in snooker. He concluded: "I don't know what's going to happen. I love playing, love the travel, but I'm still hurt and angry."
The Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Snooker star who was suspended for match-fixing says match-fixers should be banned for life
SUSPENDED snooker star Mark King has insisted that any player found guilty of match-fixing should be banned for life. King is currently suspended until March 2028 after being found guilty of fixing a match against Joe Perry in 2023. 2 2 But the 51-year-old told BBC Essex: "I don't think anyone should come back once they've been caught. "If you're guilty, that's it, you should never be allowed to play again." King, who was first suspended by snooker's governing body in March 2023 after suspicious betting patterns were flagged following his 4-0 loss to Joe Perry at the Welsh Open in February that year. Perry was not under suspicion and King has consistently denied the charges. After losing an appeal in May, he was hit with a staggering £113,000 cost order. In November 2024, the former Northern Ireland Open champion was found guilty and banned until March 2028. The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) made it clear that there's no more serious violation than match-fixing, adding they had thoroughly investigated the case. The body said in a statement: "There was strong evidence against King, and this led to action under the WPBSA's Conduct Regulations." King admitted the scandal had taken a toll on his personal life, with his wife suffering serious health problems during the investigation. He revealed: "The hardest part of this has been seeing what it's done to my wife. Championship League snooker match awkwardly interrupted by Ice Cream Van "She had a pacemaker fitted not long after it all started, and it's been really tough on her." The Essex player, who once reached No.11 in the world, is also a recovering gambling addict and said the entire ordeal had severely impacted his mental health. While the WPBSA emphasised the support available for players, including counselling and legal advice, King described his struggles. He also admits despite receiving emotional support from close friends like three-time world champion Mark Williams, who called just to check on him, King is still facing financial strain due to his suspension. He said: "I don't have £113,000 lying around. "I'm out of work at 51, and I tried doing a bit of labouring, but it was too much for me." With just under three years remaining on his suspension, King is uncertain about his future in snooker. He concluded: "I don't know what's going to happen. I love playing, love the travel, but I'm still hurt and angry."
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Match-fixers should be banned for life'
Banned snooker player Mark King says players found guilty of match-fixing should be banned for life. "I don't think anyone should come back, if you're found guilty you should never ever be able to play again and I stand by that'," he told BBC Essex. The 51-year-old was first suspended by the sport's governing body in March 2023. That was after suspicious betting was reported on his match against Joe Perry in February that year at the Welsh Open, which King lost 4-0. Perry was not accused of any wrongdoing. King has always denied the charge and lost an appeal in May. He was ordered to pay over £113,000 in costs. He was found guilty of match-fixing in November 2024 and suspended until March 2028. The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association said "there was no more serious breach of the rules than betting related match fixing" and it had "a long track record of thoroughly investigating such allegations". The WPBSA added there was evidence that King had been involved in fixing match results. "In this case there was strong evidence against King that necessitated action under the WPBSA's Conduct Regulations. This was vindicated by the findings of two independent KC Chaired Tribunals," a statement added. Strain on family King, who is a former Northern Ireland Open champion, said the situation had put a strain on his family. "I think the hardest person affected is my wife. She had a pacemaker fitted not long after the investigation started," he added. "It's really took the toll on her." The Essex player, who climbed to 11th in the world in 2003, is a recovering gambling addict. He said he has struggled with bad mental health since first being suspended. The WPBSA said the mental well-being of players was always a priority. "From the start of this case Mark King was offered a full range of support," they said. "This was both continued pastoral support, including the availability of counselling therapy through Sporting Chance, the Mental Health & Wellbeing partner of WPBSA Players, and signposting to pro-bono legal advice to ensure that he had access to informed and independent guidance." After receiving his suspension, King said he received a phone call from three-time world champion Mark Williams and a few other professional players. "One of the first players that rang me straight away was Mark Williams," King said. "He said, 'listen, I don't care what's going on. I'm just ringing up to see how you are.' That's a proper friend, we've known each other a long time." King said he was struggling to pay the costs. "Well, I obviously haven't got £113,000 in my back pocket for a start," he said. "I'm out of work because obviously I'm a 51-year-old man. I did a little bit of a labouring job but that was a bit too much for me." He said he was not sure if he would return to the sport when his suspension was lifted in just under three years. "I honestly don't know at this time," he added. "I love playing and I love the life of it and travelling all around the world and playing but at the same time I still feel hurt and angry." King loses appeal against snooker match-fixing ban Match-fixing scandal to Crucible champion - fall and rise of Zhao
BBC News
3 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
'Match-fixers should be banned for life'
Banned snooker player Mark King says players found guilty of match-fixing should be banned for life."I don't think anyone should come back, if you're found guilty you should never ever be able to play again and I stand by that'," he told BBC 51-year-old was first suspended by the sport's governing body in March 2023. That was after suspicious betting was reported on his match against Joe Perry in February that year at the Welsh Open, which King lost 4-0. Perry was not accused of any has always denied the charge and lost an appeal in May. He was ordered to pay over £113,000 in was found guilty of match-fixing in November 2024 and suspended until March 2028. The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association said "there was no more serious breach of the rules than betting related match fixing" and it had "a long track record of thoroughly investigating such allegations".The WPBSA added there was evidence that King had been involved in fixing match results."In this case there was strong evidence against King that necessitated action under the WPBSA's Conduct Regulations. This was vindicated by the findings of two independent KC Chaired Tribunals," a statement added. Strain on family King, who is a former Northern Ireland Open champion, said the situation had put a strain on his family. "I think the hardest person affected is my wife. She had a pacemaker fitted not long after the investigation started," he added."It's really took the toll on her."The Essex player, who climbed to 11th in the world in 2003, is a recovering gambling said he has struggled with bad mental health since first being WPBSA said the mental well-being of players was always a priority. "From the start of this case Mark King was offered a full range of support," they said."This was both continued pastoral support, including the availability of counselling therapy through Sporting Chance, the Mental Health & Wellbeing partner of WPBSA Players, and signposting to pro-bono legal advice to ensure that he had access to informed and independent guidance." After receiving his suspension, King said he received a phone call from three-time world champion Mark Williams and a few other professional players."One of the first players that rang me straight away was Mark Williams," King said."He said, 'listen, I don't care what's going on. I'm just ringing up to see how you are.' That's a proper friend, we've known each other a long time."King said he was struggling to pay the costs. "Well, I obviously haven't got £113,000 in my back pocket for a start," he said."I'm out of work because obviously I'm a 51-year-old man. I did a little bit of a labouring job but that was a bit too much for me."He said he was not sure if he would return to the sport when his suspension was lifted in just under three years."I honestly don't know at this time," he added. "I love playing and I love the life of it and travelling all around the world and playing but at the same time I still feel hurt and angry."
The Sun
15-07-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Former World Snooker champion Neil Robertson lands new job – and it could affect Ronnie O'Sullivan
NEIL ROBERTSON has landed himself a new job, which could have an impact on snooker rival Ronnie O'Sullivan. Three months after his shock first-round exit at the World Championship, the Aussie has bagged himself a new gig with the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. 2 2 Robertson has been added to the WPBSA's Players' Board, a role which will require him to represent and support players outside of the UK on the World Snooker Tour. A snippet of WPBSA statement read: "It has today been announced that Neil Robertson has been co-opted to join the Board of WPBSA Players with immediate effect. "The 2010 world champion is widely regarded as one of the best long-potters and break-builders in the history of the sport and has won an incredible 25 ranking titles as well as being one of only 11 players in history to complete the Triple Crown. "In 2014, he became the first player to compile over 100 century breaks during a single season. "As the most successful player to ever come from Australia, Robertson's own personal experience as a professional – which includes relocating from his home nation to the UK as a teenager, will help to ensure that the many players from outside of the UK are represented and supported during their time on the World Snooker Tour." Fan favourite Robertson is over the moon with his new gig. He said: "It is an honour to have the opportunity to represent the views and feelings of my fellow professionals. "And to be able to use my own personal experiences to help the next generation of players." Robertson isn't the only player to have recently been handed a gig by the WPBSA. The organisation recently appointed Ben Woollson as their second-ever player-director in June, five months after Mark Davis' appointment. Snooker star Neil Robertson told he could win World Championship again if he ignores Crucible concerns Woollaston said: "I am pleased to join the board of WPBSA Governance and be able to provide representation for player issues at the highest level of our sport. "As a professional snooker player for over 20 years, I have been privileged to see first-hand the development of our sport during that time and to live the highs and lows of competing on the World Snooker Tour. "I look forward to sharing my experience with the team at the WPBSA and to helping shape the future development of our sport, from grassroots level to the professional circuit." Woollaston and Davis will work in conjunction with Nigel Mawer and governance director Nigel Oldfield to oversee the direction the body is taking.
