Snooker chiefs launch match probe

Snooker officials have launched a formal investigation into allegations of match-fixing at the sport's second biggest tournament in Shropshire.

The inquiry will centre on Jamie Burnett's defeat to Stephen Maguire in the first round of the Maplin UK Championship on Monday.

• For the full statement see next page

Bookmakers suspended activity on the first-round match in the run-up to the encounter after a flurry of wagers were placed on a 9-3 scoreline in Maguire's favour – the margin by which the Scot eventually won.

Criticism has been directed at the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association for their failure to issue a statement earlier.

But officials have now pledged to investigate the match thoroughly. "At approximately 4.50pm on Friday December 12, the WPBSA received a telephone call from a bookmaker, reporting an unusual pattern of bets on Stephen Maguire to beat Jamie Burnett by a frame score of 9-3," read the statement.

"The WPBSA immediately notified its other bookmaker contacts, so that the bookmakers could alert the industry and obtain feedback in relation to bets placed on the match.

"It also arranged for World Snooker officials to attend and observe the match in question, and secured tapes of the match afterwards for further study. Now that the match has been played, the WPBSA will move forward with a formal investigation." Burnett missed a black in the 12th frame that would have made it 8-4, and therefore removed any concerns about the result.

And while Burnett has subsequently denied any wrongdoing, WPBSA have moved to try and get to the bottom of the allegation – and vowed to "pursue it vigorously" if it is found there is a case to answer.

"It (the WPBSA) has already instructed specialist external legal counsel to assist it in pursuing the investigation robustly and efficiently, so as to protect the integrity of the sport while at the same time respecting its obligation to treat those being investigated fairly," the statement continued.

By JAMES GARRISONnextpage

THE OFFICIAL STATEMENT

"The World Professional Billiards & Snooker Association is committed to taking all steps within its power to protect the integrity of the sport of snooker. To that end, the WPBSA has strict rules in place prohibiting its members from betting on matches or fixing any aspect of a match.

It takes all of the steps available to it to police and enforce those rules, including working with its contacts at the Gambling Commission, as well as putting information-sharing arrangements in place with bookmakers.

At 4.50pm on Friday, December 12, the WPBSA received a call from a bookmaker, reporting an unusual pattern of bets on Stephen Maguire to beat Jamie Burnett by a frame score of 9-3 in a match due to take place on the Sunday. The WPBSA immediately notified its other bookmaker contacts, so that the bookmakers could alert the industry and obtain feedback in relation to bets placed on the match.

It also arranged for World Snooker officials to attend and observe the match in question, and secured tapes of the match afterwards for further study. Now that the match has been played, the WPBSA will move forward with a formal investigation.

It has already instructed specialist external legal counsel to assist it in pursuing the investigation robustly and efficiently, so as to protect the integrity of the sport while at the same time respecting its obligation to treat those being investigated fairly.

As part of the investigation, information will be gathered from all pertinent parties, including the players, the match officials, the bookmakers, and others, in order to determine – based on the available evidence – whether or not there is a case to answer for breach of the WPBSAs rules.

If it is determined that there is a case to answer, the WPBSA will pursue it vigorously. Once a decision has been reached, the WPBSA will announce it. Until that time, it will not comment further on the matter, so as to avoid prejudice to the process or the people involved. In the meantime, anyone with relevant information is invited to contact the WPBSA immediately."