Higgins fixing claims 'could destroy snooker'

The World No 1 and three-time world champion, one of the biggest names in snooker, as well as his manager Pat Mooney, are alleged by the News of the World newspaper to have been caught on video agreeing to lose four frames of snooker in future tournaments in return for a 261,000 pay-off.

The allegations have sent shockwaves through snooker. It is not the first time some sort of match-fixing has been suggested or proven in the sport – in 2006, Australian Quinten Hann was banned for eight years after agreeing with undercover reporters to lose a game at the China Open in return for money.

But for the latest claims involving a player of Higgins's stature and the resignation of Mr Mooney from snooker's governing body have left the sporting world stunned.

Just hours before the Betfred.com World Championship final took place between Graeme Dott and Neil Robertson yesterday, Mr Hearn, the World Professional Billiards Snooker Association chairman revealed details of an emotional phone conversation with the player.

"Obviously the guy is in bits, " said Mr Hearn. "And I can sympathise, empathise, with him because it's been his whole life. The guy is number one in the world.

"We had a very frank conversation because I was in a position to say 'look, I'm not judge and jury here, my job is to refer it to the appropriate authorities. But as a friend, which I would classify myself to John Higgins because I've known him for 20 years, it doesn't look good, John'.

"We all watched the video, we've all seen it. Now, whatever reason there may be behind the scenes – and John has subsequently come out with a statement – I can only judge on the visual evidence that is in front of me.

"I just stressed to John that this is something that is not going away but it will be treated as a very, very serious offence, potentially, and if he is found guilty will carry the most severe of penalties. And obviously that's very upsetting for him, which I can understand because it's his life, his living.

"I believe he's a proud man, I actually believe he's an honest man but I can't ignore the evidence in front of me and the damage potentially it could do to the game."

Higgins has denied he would ever cheat, insisting he only agreed to throw the four frames because he feared for his safety, during the meeting last week in Kiev, as he thought the businessmen were Russian mafia.

David Douglas, former chief superintendent at Scotland Yard, will meet with the News of the World today. "David has an enormous wealth of experience – ranging from hostage negotiations in Iraq to the inquiry on Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed's deaths." said Mr Hearn.

"This is not something that's new in sport, we have cases in cricket, football and other sports where people have found that they are not prepared to live within the integrity boundaries of sport. Potentially it has a hugely damaging effect on the integrity of our sport, which is why we are taking the attitude that this must be dealt with immediately.

"Clearly we have the worst case scenario develop here where the entire fabric of the sport has been brought under question. Potentially, this is our worst hour."

Emphasising that the inquiry would be far-reaching to preserve the integrity of the game, he added: "The rule of law states everyone is innocent until proven guilty. John Higgins has been a major player at snooker events around the world and as upheld that position throughout his career, which is why this has come more of a shock to everyone in the game and that know John personally."

Mr Hearn said snooker's governing body needed to do more to educate young players on the risks involved in match-fixing, and a network which would allow them to alert authorities on illegal betting offers.

Brandon Parker, a manager of players like the late Paul Hunter, from Leeds, and former Rotherham World Champion Shaun Murphy, said he personally had never known bribes being offered to throw frames or matches, but had heard gossip among players.