Wizard woes: Higgins faces a lengthy ban if he is found guilty of frame-fixing. Pic: © SNS
Three-time former world snooker champion John Higgins will begin his appeal against allegations of match-fixing tomorrow, and could return to the sport as early as this month’s World Open if found clear of any wrong-doing.
In May, the News of the World alleged that Wishaw-born Higgins and his manager Pat Mooney had agreed to fix frames in a World Series of Snooker event in Ukraine for £261,000. Despite denying the deal, both men were immediately suspended from the sport pending further investigation.
If Higgins is found guilty, he could face a lengthy ban from snooker, although recent comments by World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn suggest a lifetime ban would be unlikely.
On the other hand, should the 35-year old successfully prove his innocence to an independent tribunal then he will be free to continue his glittering career in the sport, starting with the World Open on September 18 in Glasgow.
The hearing, held at an undisclosed venue, could last up to three days and will be hosted by Sport Resolutions, a London-based independent dispute resolution service. World Snooker will announce the outcome in a statement at its conclusion.
Higgins has repeatedly stated his innocence since the story broke, and claims he and his manager were forced to say yes to two undercover journalists posing as Ukrainian match-fixers after mistaking them for “Russian Mafia”.
In a statement released after the News of the World story broke, Higgins said: "Can I say that 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."
The case will be judged by Ian Mill QC, who notably turned down England and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand's appeal against his eight-month suspension for failing to attend a drugs test in 2004.
‘Wishaw Wizard’ Higgins is regarded as one of the modern game's most accomplished players, has been ranked the world's number one player on four occasions and has never slipped lower than sixth in the world rankings.
