Mark King suspended for five years

Mark King has been banned for five years after being found guilty of match-fixing.

An independent disciplinary committee found the 50-year-old Englishman guilty of one count of match fixing and one count of providing inside information on a match.

The former Northern Ireland Open champion was suspended by the sport’s world governing body, the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA), on 18 March, 2023 after suspicious betting was reported on his match with Joe Perry on 13 February, 2023 at the Welsh Open.

King, who denied the charges in the case, has until 28 November to appeal against the decisions of the independent disciplinary committee, which also ordered him to pay £68,000 costs.

The panel also heard accusations that King fixed a match against John Higgins on 13 December, 2022 as well as provided inside information on it but those charges were dismissed.

Perry and Higgins were not accused of any wrongdoing.

King turned professional in 1991 and reached a career-high world ranking of 11 in 2003.

"I have known Mark since he was young, he is a very experienced player who has enjoyed great success, and I am deeply saddened to read the finding in this case," said WPBSA chairman Jason Ferguson.

"However, the integrity of this sport will always be our number one priority.

"This case is testament to the fact that no stone will ever be left unturned in ensuring that the hundreds of millions of snooker fans worldwide, and our many global partners, can have full confidence in this incredible sport."

SnookerFan wrote:He's in my Think Pink.

shanew48 wrote:His best bet at this point is to do what Stephen Lee did and engage with the press outside of his house letting the world know that “jimmy’s just been on the phone to me now so I know who my friends are” therefore outing Jimmy as someone who has no problem remaining friendly with a convicted match fixer

Iranu wrote:

shanew48 wrote:His best bet at this point is to do what Stephen Lee did and engage with the press outside of his house letting the world know that “jimmy’s just been on the phone to me now so I know who my friends are” therefore outing Jimmy as someone who has no problem remaining friendly with a convicted match fixer

Not if you were deemed to be “a great ambassador of the game” as Jim is frequently referred to, surely?

I mean it’s hardly the worst thing in the world. I’m pretty sure I’d stay friends with someone who was convicted of fixing a snooker match.

suspicious betting was reported on his match with Joe Perry on 13 February, 2023 at the Welsh Open.

Empire State Human wrote:

suspicious betting was reported on his match with Joe Perry on 13 February, 2023 at the Welsh Open.

" ... The authorities were alerted that something suspicious was afoot by the fact that Joe Perry won a match."

Empire State Human wrote:

suspicious betting was reported on his match with Joe Perry on 13 February, 2023 at the Welsh Open.

" ... The authorities were alerted that something suspicious was afoot by the fact that Joe Perry won a match."

gninnur karona wrote:

Empire State Human wrote:

suspicious betting was reported on his match with Joe Perry on 13 February, 2023 at the Welsh Open.

" ... The authorities were alerted that something suspicious was afoot by the fact that Joe Perry won a match."

Blimey. Joe Perry won over 56% of his ranking event matches that season. Who are you quoting?

shanew48 wrote:

Iranu wrote:

shanew48 wrote:His best bet at this point is to do what Stephen Lee did and engage with the press outside of his house letting the world know that “jimmy’s just been on the phone to me now so I know who my friends are” therefore outing Jimmy as someone who has no problem remaining friendly with a convicted match fixer

Not if you were deemed to be “a great ambassador of the game” as Jim is frequently referred to, surely?

I mean it’s hardly the worst thing in the world. I’m pretty sure I’d stay friends with someone who was convicted of fixing a snooker match.

SnookerFan wrote:He's in my Think Pink.

SnookerFan wrote:He's in my Think Pink.

SnookerEd25 wrote:I have full confidence in this incredible sport.

Confirmed

HappyCamper wrote:

SnookerEd25 wrote:I have full confidence in this incredible sport.

Confirmed

Are you one of snooker's many global partners?

HappyCamper wrote:

SnookerEd25 wrote:I have full confidence in this incredible sport.

Confirmed

Are you one of snooker's many global partners?

The_Abbott wrote:Were any of the bills Marked?

SnookerEd25 wrote:Don’t push it