Snooker Scandal Latest in Series of Sports Gambling Shockers
Straight on the heels of a Melbourne Storm NRL scandal down under and the alleged betting syndicate connected bombing of a cricket match in India comes the latest in a series of sports scandals, this one involving snooker.
The News of the World on Sunday broke the story on how millionaire World Snooker champion John Higgins was captured on camera shaking hands on a disgraceful deal to fix a string of high-profile matches after demanding a £300,000 kickback.
"The scandal will cast a dark shadow over the final of this year's championship which starts today and disgust the millions of fans tuning into the BBC to watch their sporting idols," that paper reported.
Higgins has since been suspended.
After 34-year-old Higgins' found himself defeated in the tournament at the hands of veteran Steve Davis, he flew to the Ukrainian capital of Kiev and in a meeting with undercover News of the World investigators on Friday shamelessly agreeing to deliberately LOSE frames in four matches so that illegal gambling syndicates could clean up while bragging about how "easy" to fool fans into believing they were watching genuine snooker action.
During the 10-minute conversation that sealed their crooked deal Higgins never once questioned the legality or morality of cheating for cash, NOTW reports.
Higgins is a representative of the online bookmaker BetFred.com.
SNOOKER'S top official Barry Hearn was "mortified" to learn of the bribery scandal - and pledged an immediate inquiry.
The shocked sports boss said: "Mooney is a fellow director on the WPBSA, I am absolutely mortified.
"He is someone I am working with closely on the rejuvenation and revitalisation of snooker.
"He is in a very responsible position.
"If these allegations against the World Champion John Higgins and Mooney are true it is a very serious matter indeed and a massive, massive blow to the integrity of the sport.
"We have stringent disciplinary procedures for players bringing the game into disrepute.
"My views about cheating are well known.
"We will launch an immediate inquiry which will be led by former Chief superintendent David Douglas who I appointed to the board only last week.
"It's a very serious matter that we will look into immediately and take firm action."
Alistair Prescott, Gambling911.com
