Russian mafia fear of snooker star in 'fixing' claims

Last year's world champion faces an investigation after newspaper allegations both he and his manager agreed to accept 261,000 for throwing four frames of snooker, at a meeting in Kiev.

The 34-year-old issued a statement yesterday denying he had ever deliberately lost a frame or match. It said: "I have never been involved in any form of snooker match-fixing.

"In my 18 years playing professional snooker I have never deliberately missed a shot, never mind intentionally lost a frame or a match.

"In all honestly I became very worried at the way the conversation developed in Kiev. When it was suggested that I throw frames in return for large sums of money, I was really spooked. I just wanted to get out of the hotel and on to the plane home.

"I didn't know if this was the Russian Mafia or who we were dealing with. At that stage I felt the best course of action was just to play along with these guys and get out of Russia.

"Those who know me are aware of my love for snooker and that I would never do anything to damage the integrity of the sport I love. My conscience is 100 per cent clear."

Last night he said he was consulting lawyers. "Today is the start of the biggest match of my life," he added. "It's not the World Championship that's at stake, it's something even more important, my reputation."

Higgins and his manager Pat Mooney were covertly filmed at a meeting in Kiev, which a national newspaper claims took place in the days following Higgins' World Championship second-round defeat to Steve Davis.

Mr Mooney said: "It just came to a head where we agreed, myself and John Higgins, to say whatever the hell we need to do to get out of there and get safely back on the flight. We had been intimidated for the best part of 24 hours."

A spokeswoman for the newspaper dismissed the manager's claim, saying he had previously met the covert journalist in Edinburgh, and said it would be supplying the footage for investigators.

The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association is investigating the matter. World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn said: "We want this matter dealt with as quickly as possible. It will be in days and weeks rather than months and months.

"It is one of the most disappointing days I've had in 35 years of being in professional sport."

Former world champion Steve Davis warned the allegations had tarnished snooker. "I think the integrity of the game has effectively evaporated overnight."