February 2010
Stephen Lee, a former world No. 5 who is now ranked 25, was arrested following an investigation into suspicious betting patterns in February, 2010. World Snooker, the commercial arm of governing body WPBSA, said it was awaiting further developments. Lee was last in the headlines for non-sporting reasons after he tested positive for cannabis in 2000.
December 2008
Stephen Maguire and Jamie Burnett are still waiting to hear if they will face charges after the suspected fixing of their match at the UK Championship in December 2008. Maguire won the first-round match 9-3 after Burnett missed a black that would have reduced the deficit to 8-4. World Snooker and the Gambling Commission looked into the match after snooker chiefs were informed by bookmakers beforehand that there had been unusually heavy betting on a 9-3 scoreline. Both players have denied any wrongdoing.
February 2006
Australian Quinten Hann, known for his volatile nature, was handed an eight-year ban in Feb 2006 after a WPBSA hearing which found him guilty of intending to lose his opening match against Ken Doherty at the China Open in return for large amounts of money. A WPBSA panel was shown transcripts of video and audio footage of a meeting which took place between Hann and undercover journalists from The Sun newspaper in March and April 2005.
1995
South African Peter Francisco was banned for five years, effectively ending his career, after losing 10-2 to Jimmy White in the first round of the World Championship in 1995. A disciplinary hearing by the WPBSA ruled Francisco had not played to his potential. Betting was suspended shortly before the match after bookmakers reported receiving many bets for the eventual outcome of 10-2.
(sourceļ¼China Daily/AFP)
