TWO Scottish snooker players will not face prosecution over an alleged match-fixing plot after the Crown decided there was insufficient evidence.
Stephen Maguire, 30, from Glasgow, and Jamie Burnett, 35, from Hamilton, were questioned by police after bookmakers reported unusual betting patterns in the run-up to the pair’s Maplin UK Championship match on December 15, 2008.
A number of bookmakers suspended betting after large amounts of money were staked on Maguire to win 9-3 in the match, held in Telford, England.
The match ended 9-3 to Maguire after Burnett missed a black at the end of the 12th frame.
After the game, Burnett denied any wrongdoing and said he knew the situation and the pressure had affected his play. Maguire, currently ranked eighth in the world, also denied allegations of foul play.
Strathclyde Police launched an inquiry into the match-fixing allegations and questioned both players in August 2009.
They were released without charge and, following receipt of a report submitted by the force, the Crown Office announced yesterday it had found insufficient evidence to justify a criminal prosecution.
A Crown Office spokeswoman said: “Following a full and comprehensive investigation the case was reported for the consideration of Crown Counsel who, after careful consideration of all facts and circumstances, decided there is insufficient evidence to justify a criminal prosecution.”
However, the pair could still face disciplinary action after the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) – the governing body of professional snooker – confirmed it would now launch its own inquiry into the matter.
Jason Ferguson, WPBSA chairman, added: “We are treating this case very seriously. We will now be given access to the evidence connected with the case, and our disciplinary committee will review evidence thoroughly.”
World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn said he welcomed the news there would be no legal action against the players, but questioned why it had taken so long to resolve the matter.
Mr Hearn said: “I’m somewhat surprised this matter has been hanging around since December 2008 and obviously the cloud of suspicion has been cast over the two players concerned, which must have been very difficult for them. It’s a shame it wasn’t resolved much more quickly, and presumably, at less cost to the public purse-strings.
“I found it quite frustrating waiting, and I’m sure both Burnett and Maguire will be relieved to have that cloud of suspicion removed from them.”
He added: “With our disciplinary head on we will review any evidence [the police] have, but clearly [we will review it] in the light it was nearly three years ago and also they have decided there was no action to be taken.
“The case will be reviewed by the WPBSA disciplinary panel. We will maintain our efforts through our integrity unit to ensure snooker remains whiter than white and at this moment in time I’m very pleased for both Maguire and Burnett there is no evidence of any wrongdoing on their behalf which necessitates a prosecution.”
The integrity of the sport has been in the spotlight following a series of incidents in recent years.
Australian player Quinten Hann was banned for eight years after being found guilty of throwing frames in 2006, while four-time world champion John Higgins was suspended last year as World Snooker investigated a newspaper report he had discussed the possibility of fixing frames in return for money.
Higgins was cleared of match-fixing last September but was given a six-month ban – backdated to May 2010 – and fined £75,000 after being found guilty of disrepute for failing to report the approach to fix matches.
South African Peter Francisco was banned for five years in 1995 after an investigation into betting.
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