Notes on a Scandal
John may know his fate at the beginning of July or perhaps August or maybe Christmas
THIS IS A TOTALLY UNALTERED REAL TIME LOG OF THE EVENTS SURROUNDING THIS ‘SCANDAL’. INCLUDING NEWS STORIES AND OPINIONS OF THOSE ‘IN THE KNOW’. I’M NOT AWARE THAT ANYONE ELSE HAS DONE THIS BUT I FEEL AS A SNOOKER FAN THAT IT IS IMPORTANT TO LOG EVERY LITTLE ‘MOVEMENT’ IN THIS PARTICULAR EPISODE.
START AT THE FOOT OF THE POST (ABOVE THE COMMENTS) TO RELIVE THE EVENTS AS THEY UNFOLDED.
I thought rather than clog up the main page with this it would be easier to maintain it with the latest press as it appears.
The first breaking story can be viewed here.
The latest news I can find can be viewed from the top down.
Please feel free to air your views on this whole episode in the comments box below.
August 5th 5pm
Hearing dates set for 7th and 8th September, right in the middle of the Shanghai Masters.
July 28th 5.50pm
News of the World hands over footage to David Douglas, Higgins and Mooney have yet to view it.
July 28th 2pm
SportingIntelligence state that:
Sportingintelligence can reveal that Higgins, who was suspended from all snooker on 2 May as a result of the News of the World allegations, made an appeal against that suspension, and the appeal was handled, reluctantly, by one person, WPBSA board member, Brandon Parker, who upheld the appeal.
Parker was reluctant to make a call because he had access to only some of the evidence against Higgins at the time, but he upheld the decision to keep Higgins’ suspension in place because of the severity of the accusations and because of the greater good of snooker he has told this website.
Further developments are expected in the Higgins case imminently, perhaps within hours, relating to the release of evidence to investigators. More later.
August 5th 5pm
The hearing has been scheduled for September 7th and 8th.
July 26th 7pm
This link provides a further twist in the tale.
And this is what John says about his namesakes’ death:
Scottish player John Higgins, 35, also followed in the footsteps of his namesake, winning the world title in 1998, 2007 and 2009. “As a youngster it was the magical play of players like Hurricane Higgins that inspired me and many of my generation to fall in love with snooker,” said Higgins, the world No1 who was suspended by World Snooker in May 2010 following allegations of match fixing, which the player denies.
“During one tournament I remember my father and Hurricane sitting in our hotel talking about snooker into the early hours. The next morning the concierge knocked on my door with a present from Hurricane; it was a beautiful blue snooker suit made by a top Irish tailor. It was a lovely gesture that meant so much to me and my dad.
“This will be a sad time for Hurricane’s close family and friends and also sad for the wider snooker community. When people write about the history of snooker they will have to devote many pages to the skills of Hurricane Higgins.”
July 23rd 11.45am
Still no news…..Barry indicating that a hearing is likely by the ‘end of August’ according to the Daily Mail.
July 12th 2.30pm (thanks to ‘rusel’ for this – John clearly in jovial mood)
SCANDAL-hit snooker star John Higgins laughed off his match-fixing allegations as he presented awards at a football team’s awards ceremony.
In one of his first public appearances since footage appeared of him apparently agreeing to throw matches, Higgins, 35, stepped in as the special guest at the boys’ football club to present trophies.
Officials at the East End Thistle Football Club had been left in a panic after two footballers they had originally booked failed to show up.
Worried the under-10 players would be disappointed club officials launched a frantic search for a replacement, even phoning local radio stations and football clubs.
A player’s parent knew a friend of Higgins and after a call, the player immediately headed for the Goals centre in Hamilton, Lanarkshire, to save the day.
Club staff said Higgins, who is currently suspended from the game, was in good form and even jokingly asked them if someone had made a bet that he wouldn’t turn up.
Alex Kerr, one of the team’s coaches, said: “John Higgins showed up within 45 minutes of us calling him and he was more than happy to help.
“The boys were over the moon. He had a quick introduction to the team coach and moved seamlessly into presenting the boys’ trophies. Afterwards, he stayed to sign autographs and pose for pictures.”
It was the first time Higgins has been seen in public since his son’s first communion in May, shortly after the scandal broke.
Barry doesn’t ‘believe in life bans’. Audio interview here.
June 26th 7am
Sportingintelligence ‘expect a result within a week’ here
June 25th 12.30pm
From WS website:
The WPBSA Disciplinary Committee has resolved to refer an investigation arising from the News of the World newspaper’s report of May 2, 2010, which contained allegations against John Higgins and Pat Mooney, to a hearing board convened under the auspices of Sport Resolutions UK.
David Douglas, head of the WPBSA’s disciplinary committee, said: “Sport Resolutions deals with cases in various sports and is named in WPBSA disciplinary rules. It is completely independent of the WPBSA and we have no doubt that it will bring a fair conclusion to this matter.”
There will be no further comment at this stage.
June 22nd 6am
Conclusion ‘by the end of July’
(Scottish Herald)
June 21st 11.45am
Roy Greenslade has picked up on the recent Sportingintelligence article here and suggests that Higgins was ‘persuaded to drink far more than his normal modest intake on the night he was covertly taped by the News of the World at a meeting in Kiev on 30 April’
June 18th 6.10pm
More doubts about ‘that tape’ here
June 16th 9pm.
And so peaceful until..
Come on Baz, it’s time to speak on Higgins. Is he banned or not? If so, for how long? How did Dougy arrive at the conclusion? We need to put this to bed as I reckon it’s been 7 and a half weeks now and if it’s another fortnight we’re risking a very strange photo on here.
27th May 9am
‘Snooker has had enough bad boys to fill a Hall of Infamy’ and ’There is a significant “underground” element and shadowy figures follow the professionals around on the circuit’.
Apparently.
According to a rather sensationalist and very late article in the South African press here.
26th May 4pm
Graeme Dott hopes to see John Higgins cleared of the charges. Click here.
23rd May 9am
John Higgins is moving house, but thoughts that he is resigning himself to a future on a council estate are premature, he is moving half a mile up the road according to the Daily Record here.
19th May 10am
The Scottish Sun reports that John Higgins has been axed from a flagship telly show following ‘match’ fixing claims (though I haven’t read anywhere about fixing the outcome of a match, more top journalism there).
Bosses at STV dropped a massive photo of the 34-year-old Scot from the backdrop of their Sports Centre programme.
It was replaced by an image of a boot and a football in the wake of claims former world No1 Higgins agreed to take a £261,000 bribe to deliberately lose frames (note: not matches).
Last night a show insider said: “Before all the allegations, John was thought of so highly as a Scottish sports star that he appeared on the backdrop.
“I guess the fact he’s been replaced by a foot and a ball shows how far he has fallen.
“Even though he’s denying the allegations the bosses just didn’t think it would be right to keep him on there.”
Wednesday 19th May 9.30am
Just a thought of my own really that occured to me while listening to the radio this morning. The Lord Triesman episode is running in the UK at the moment and there are many that are calling for the heads of the reporters for entrapment. It occurs to me that if John Higgins believes that he was a victim of this form of journalism too that his first port of call should be to put in an official complaint to the Press Complaints Commission (PCC). It will be interesting to see if he does this. If he was genuinely in fear for his life, as he claimed he was, then this is surely the course of action that he and Mr Mooney must take as a way of clearing their names.
Tuesday 18th May 9.20am
Sportingintelligence appear to be questioning the transcript of the original video ‘evidence’ by the News of the World. Pointing to errors in what Higgins and Mooney actually said and what the subtitles say they said. CLICK HERE.
Roy Greenslades comments here.
Saturday 15th May 7am
Snooker chief Barry Hearn has promised the John Higgins affair is being dealt with as a “matter of urgency”.
Former world champion Higgins has been suspended pending an investigation into allegations of frame-throwing.
Hearn, the chairman of snooker’s world governing body, has handed the matter to an independent body in the interest of the sport’s integrity.
Hearn told Sky Sports News: “They will make the decisions on what penalties, if any, have got to be made.
“I’m very happy it is out of my hands, it has to be seen to be done thoroughly and independently but it has to be treated as a matter or urgency because anything that questions the integrity of any sport has to be taken terribly seriously.
“The principle fundamentals that are at stake here are everyone giving 100% every frame.
“Sport has to be whiter than white and that is the plan. We are pushing ahead with all speed but within the rules.”
Friday 14th May 5.45pm
Absolutely no news since the last post. There is a rumour that there may be another story on Sunday but surely the worst is over with?
Sportingintelligence under Nick Harris is trying to get to the heart of the matter without spin or sensationalism
Monday 10th May 1.10pm
The thoughts of sportingintelligence on yesterday’s story are here.
The Guardian’s Greenslade Blog gives this take on things.
It does appear that yesterday’s story has increased the sympathy for Higgins, I’m not sure that is what the paper wanted to happen.
Sunday 10am
The Scotsman comes out in partial support for John. I suspect some others will probably follow.
Sunday 7am
A Tweet from Dave Hendon:
I suspect the real ‘revelations’ have been dropped in return for an exclusive interview with Higgins himself. What a sordid business.
Sunday 6am
The ‘gossip’ that was abound yesterday was not very accurate in terms of the story that has been printed today. That’ll teach me to listen to idle talk. I feel the hand of Si-Ting Chi-Lee at work.
Saturday 8th May 3.30pm
Rumours are abound that tomorrow’s revelations involve betting scams and a whole lot more concerning John Higgins. Relating to a match which aroused some suspicion at the time.
I stress these are only ‘chinese whispers’ at this stage.
Saturday 8th May 10.00am
A great interview this morning in The Guardian with Steve Davis.
Friday 3.40pm
Graeme Dott announces that he has terminated his contract with Pat Mooney. Obviously the ‘Russian Mafia’ excuse doesn’t wash with our man Dotty.
“Further to the press reports last week involving Mr Pat Mooney, I have terminated my representation contract with Pat Mooney and FSTC Management with immediate effect.
“I will have no further dealings with either of these parties.”
Friday 7th May 11.10am
Mark Selby gives his thoughts on his mate John and all things Baz here.
Thursday 6th May 7.40pm
To rub salt in the wound, ITV2 show a timely repeat of All Star Mr and Mrs, John & Denise’s finest hour?
Strange they should schedule that this week, must just be coincidence then eh?
Thursday 6th May 1.30pm
The Sun Reports:
BARRY HEARN is setting up an anti-corruption unit for snooker.
More than 50 top cuemen were addressed by Hearn’s new henchman and ex-cop David Douglas in Sheffield yesterday.
The former Met Chief Supt is already leading the probe into allegations John Higgins agreed to throw frames for cash.
Snooker supremo Hearn said: “We want to do this to find out if we have a widespread problem”.
“We don’t know that yet but we need to look into it quickly. David is going to be in charge and will be very thorough.”
The anti-sleaze unit will take calls from players who are approached about throwing matches.
Wednesday 5th May 2pm
Dave Hendon appears to have called time on his blog for at least the time being. He hinted as such the other day.
Steve Davis on Twitter says that ‘The Players Wake Up Call Begins Tomorrow’, he meant today I think. For today is the day that Barry addresses the players.
Tuesday 9.26pm
A new twist? Or just old news? How Higgins was ‘stung’. I’ve never heard of ‘sportingintelligence.com’ (is that an oxymoron?). Anyway, here is their ‘information’, none of which to me gives any further insight.
And a Facebook campaign for John’s innocence . I haven’t joined. I’m hanging on for Mooney’s.
Tuesday 1pm
The Mirror continues it’s condemnation of Higgins.
David Douglas of the Yard to expand the investigation to other suspect matches says the Irish Times.
And that bastion of truth The Sun says what I have to say was a shell-shocked looking Steve Davis over the weekend will be Douggie’s ‘Man on the Inside’. To be fair there are some great Bazzisms in this one, such as his reference at the bottom to David Douglas.
Monday 7pm
I’ve been asked to post the following:
“Ukrainian National Federation of BILLIARDS SPORTS would like to inform that it was not aware of the arrival of John Higgins and Pat Mooney in Kiev. We do not know the purpose of their visit and we did not have any contact with them while they were in Kiev.”
- Vyacheslav Nezdymovskij, chief of the snooker department in Ukrainian National Federation of BILLIARDS SPORTS
And:
i have been on tour over 15 years and was offered money to throw a match in the uk champs along with another player so they could bet on a double .i thought about it for about 1 second.it would never enter my head to throw a match and i have earnt considerably less than john out of the game.if he is guilty he should be dealt with the same as quinten hann.guilty or not the damage is done if i was a potential sponser would i really want my company name to be associated with snooker.
(This one was posted anonymously)
From Dave Hendon Blog Comments
If they are struggling for sponsors perhaps we could start the Snookerbacker.com World Doubles Championships? First prize a ten pound off Co-op voucher and a bottle of Aldi Asti-Spumante? Runner up gets a Lottery Scratch Card.
Douglas of the Yard doesn't have a sense of humour
Monday 6.35pm
The Telegraph gets deep, they reckon Higgins is a right banker.
Monday 4.15pm
Barry Hearn’s Press Conference from earlier on at the Crucible (in 4 parts)
Monday 3.10pm
Dennis Taylor has his say on video.
Monday 1.50pm
Monday1.32pm
According to The Herald
The Herald visited Mr Higgins’s home in Bothwell last night but neighbours said he had been seen leaving earlier in the day, carrying suitcases.
(I hope he isn’t planning a nostalgic trip to Kiev)
Monday 1.08 pm
Barry Hearn currently addressing the press at the Crucible.
He said he is flabbergasted at the news, particularly as he’s known John Higgins for years.
‘We need to face the crisis head on and that’s what I’m going to do’.
Confirms that ‘Stephen Lee’ is being investigated.
‘I can cure snooker’
He has spoken to John ‘he is in bit’s’. They had a frank conversation, as a friend. ‘It doesn’t look good John, we’ve seen the video and it isn’t going to go away, if he is found guilty he will face the harshest penalty’
He still believes Higgins to be an honest man.
He ‘trusted’ Pat Mooney. There will be no World Series events. He is disappointed with Mooney, he has no future in snooker and he confirms that he asked him to resign, which he did. ‘He is a casualty of his own actions’.
‘We have a lot on our plate’
‘If sickness in snooker exists, I will get rid of it, in a brutal manner, all the players have to know that’
‘There is no excuse for gambling on snooker for players, there is no excuse for this type of behaviour’
‘We have no evidence whatsoever of any unusual betting patterns in this event’
‘I will not criticise the News of the World’
‘My style is much more head on than most’
‘Our sporting heroes should be ‘whiter than white’
Hearn was upset that he didn’t get a call from either Mooney or Higgins about the meeting straight after it took place.
Monday 12 noon
From The Mirror, I feared this would get dragged into it:
“Higgins’ second-round defeat to six-time champion Steve Davis two weeks ago was one of the biggest shocks in Crucible history. Snooker fans have demanded an inquiry into the upset. But sponsors Betfred said last night: “We do not believe the match between John Higgins and Steve Davis was fixed.”
Monday 9am
‘You can accuse us of being idiots but not match fixers’
Sunday 10pm
Clive Everton’s column, I won’t do the one down with one to play gag for John and Pat, they’re far too important for that.
Clive always talks sense.
Let John take care of the snooker side of things Pat.
Sunday 7.40pm
More clarification and the final nail in the coffin of Mr Mooney here. If this is true, I hope he knows a few people that are happy to employ older people to deliver newspapers and periodicals.
Sunday 7.10 pm
Sky News report that next week The News of the World will be releasing ‘further allegations’. It is not clear whether this relates to John Higgins or to any other players:
The News of the World is surprised at Pat Mooney’s comments that he felt intimidated whilst in Kiev given his relaxed manner and enthusiasm throughout his stay.
Mr Mooney also had three previous meetings during recent months with our investigations editor at bars and restaurants of his choosing in Edinburgh, a city he knows very well.
We assume Mr Mooney did not feel intimidated during these meetings where he openly discussed John Higgins and match fixing.
In a number of conversations he explained how a snooker game could be fixed, the amount of money required to facilitate it and repeatedly assured us that Mr Higgins would be “relaxed” with the arrangement.
At no time whilst in Kiev did Mr Mooney or Mr Higgins show any signs of being under duress or in any way unhappy at being in our company.
Our film and audio evidence on Mr Mooney and Mr Higgins are available to the World Professional Billiards & Snooker Association.
The News of the World will be publishing further revelations next Sunday.
Frame 4 - John's a cert.
Sunday 6.50pm
Thanks to Teo from Finland for posting the link to the earlier Sky News interview with Pat Mooney, click here if you missed it.
Sunday 2/5/10 6.20pm
John’s fans refuse to believe that he is in the wrong, these are among the people that the original article claims that he has betrayed. Let’s hope that he can justify their unquestioning faith in their multi-millionaire idol.
Sunday 2/5/10 5.41pm
Fred Done, boss of BetFred pledges his commitment to the sport and says that he would offer a further 5 year deal to sponsor the World Championship ‘now’. ‘Let’s get talking o n how to improve things’ he says and shows full support to Barry Hearn.
Sunday 2/5/10 4.50pm
“Everybody is in shock. Everyone’s walking around in bits,” said Steve Davis.
“It’s the darkest day I’ve ever experienced in snooker. I’ve been talking to Ken Doherty, to John Parrott, and we all feel the integrity of the game has been put in question. It’s a horrible day.”
Asked whether Hearn might be tempted to walk away from snooker, Davis said: “There is the possibility that with Barry Hearn in the process of taking the game over, he may be able to cut the cancer out of it from day one.
“I’ve been speaking to Barry on whether he’s going to continue, or whether he’s going to drop the whole thing like a hot potato. He’s got tremendous credibility in the world of sport so does he want to be involved in something so tarnished? It’s a terrible hangover.
“I’d fully understand if Barry wanted to walk away but somebody needs to be in charge these days with a firm hand, now more than ever. That’s vital. He’s the only person who could dig the game out of the mire and the players need to realise that.
“There are other alleged incidents under investigation and no smoke without fire is bad enough but this has taken it to another level. The severity, the profile is just shocking.
“I think the integrity of the game has effectively evaporated overnight. It’s the lowest ebb it’s ever been. What a terrible wake-up call. It’s just too awful to contemplate.”
John Higgins maintains his innocence
Sunday 2/5/10 4.20pm
Renowned snooker ‘statto’ and friend of John Higgins, Phil Yates gives his thoughts in the Times here.
Sunday 2/5/10 3.00pm
John Higgins has said his “conscience is 100% clear” after he was implicated in a bribery scandal to fix the results of frames at future snooker tournaments.
Higgins issued a statement insisting that he has “never been involved in any form of snooker match-fixing” and that his “conscience is 100% clear”.
“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,” he said in a statement read out on the BBC before the start of today’s World Championship final.
“In all honesty 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 [sic].
“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% clear.”
Sunday 2/5/10 2.05pm
Barry Hearn says that this will be dealt with in days and weeks rather than months and years.
Ready, Aim, Fire - Hardman Barry has tough punishments lined up for wrongdoers
Sunday 2/5/10 2pm
Official World Snooker Statement
In relation to recent newspaper reports Barry Hearn, the WPBSA Chairman has released the following statement:
Pat Mooney has resigned from the WPBSA Board and his resignation has been accepted, with immediate effect.
John Higgins has been suspended from future WPBSA tournaments, pending an immediate enquiry.
The WPBSA enquiry will be headed by David Douglas and will be carried out with the utmost urgency. There is a process to follow in accordance with WPBSA rules, this process has been initiated.
This matter has brought the very fabric of the game into question and the strongest possible message needs to be sent out that this behaviour has no part to play in our game and will not be tolerated. Any wrong doing will be severely dealt with.
Sunday 2/5/10 1.50pm
Pat Mooney tells Sky News that Higgins has an ‘unblemished record’. He says that he feared for his life. They were sitting there for ten minutes while being filmed but he is insinuating that when off camera there were threats made to them. He welcomes the investigation and says that he will co-operate fully.
He also states that this meeting was the culmination of a number of other meetings, some held in Edinburgh.
Sunday 2/5/10 12 noon
Pat Mooney has resigned from World Snooker and John Higgins has been suspended from all tournaments pending a full investigation.
Barry Hearn sounds furious on Talk Sport and warns of the stiffest possible penalties for future things of this kind. He also confirms that he is ‘staying on’ as Chairman and will not let this scandal ‘ruin the great game of snooker’.
He says,’Never mind a woman scorned, hell hath no fury like a Chairman scorned’.
I think the ‘Yes’ vote for his plans is now as good as in the bag.
Sunday 2/5/10 1oam
BARRY TO MAKE DECISION WITHIN HOURS ON IMMEDIATE FUTURES
Barry Hearn, chairman of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, today promised a decision within hours on the immediate future of John Higgins and Pat Mooney in the sport.
Higgins and Mooney were filmed by the News of the World newspaper allegedly agreeing to accept £261,000 in return for arranging the outcome of four frames in matches to be played later this year.
Hearn, who is considering his own position, said an investigation would begin immediately and that Higgins may face a suspension.
‘I’ve read the piece, I’ve seen the video, I would imagine I can’t see any reason not to suspend him at this moment in time,’ Hearn said on BBC Radio Five Live. Click here to listen to Barry.
He added: ‘We’ll make a decision within the next 24 hours on how we’re going to play it.’
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. This news and the message about Liu Song complement each other in the assumptions. I think the ban on the half-year and a large fine to the mouth did not open his.
Comment by rusel — July 12, 2010 @ 5:02 pm Reply
Thanks Rusel – I’ve put it at the top of the post.
Comment by snookerbacker — July 12, 2010 @ 2:57 pm Reply
Snooker star John Higgins shrugs off scandal to help boys’ club
http://www.thescotsman.com
09 July 2010
By Stuart Macdonald
SCANDAL-hit snooker star John Higgins laughed off his match-fixing allegations as he presented awards at a football team’s awards ceremony.
In one of his first public appearances since footage appeared of him apparently agreeing to throw matches, Higgins, 35, stepped in as the special guest at the boys’ football club to present trophies.
Officials at the East End Thistle Football Club had been left in a panic after two footballers they had originally booked failed to show up.
Worried the under-10 players would be disappointed club officials launched a frantic search for a replacement, even phoning local radio stations and football clubs.
A player’s parent knew a friend of Higgins and after a call, the player immediately headed for the Goals centre in Hamilton, Lanarkshire, to save the day.
Club staff said Higgins, who is currently suspended from the game, was in good form and even jokingly asked them if someone had made a bet that he wouldn’t turn up.
Alex Kerr, one of the team’s coaches, said: “John Higgins showed up within 45 minutes of us calling him and he was more than happy to help.
“The boys were over the moon. He had a quick introduction to the team coach and moved seamlessly into presenting the boys’ trophies. Afterwards, he stayed to sign autographs and pose for pictures.”
It was the first time Higgins has been seen in public since his son’s first communion in May, shortly after the scandal broke.
Comment by rusel — July 12, 2010 @ 2:26 pm Reply
Can’t disagree with you there jibjib. I’m not close enough to the game to know that, Dave is. But seeing as he has closed the blog perhaps we may never know his real thoughts on the matter. I believe it’s a cultural shift that is needed and that’s why getting the man at the top may have been top of the agenda for some. But even I’m not prepared to say who that might be or he might send the heavies round.
If it has been going on and was an open secret, then I agree someone should have said something, but to who? Sir Rodders would probably have turned a blind eye anyway given his track record. Any professional sportsman or woman must know that betting on something they are involved is at best not advisable and at worst, open to fraud.
Comment by snookerbacker — May 9, 2010 @ 6:24 pm Reply
I see what you’re saying SB, but this sort of attitude is just plain wrong at this time. Hendon says it’s against the rules but has been going on for years. It’s that sort of staggering arrogance that needs to be wiped out asap if snooker is going to survive these allegations.
Just because everybody’s been at it doesn’t make it right. And if Dave Hendon knew that everybody was at it, why the hell hasn’t he raised concerns before?
Wish his blog was still open as I’d be giving him hell on there, rather than ranting on here!
Comment by jibjib — May 9, 2010 @ 5:50 pm Reply
I’ve been thinking…Dott and Selby have severed all ties with Mooney, right?
Well firstly they must have had contact with Mooney and it therefore stands to reason that those two obviously don’t buy in to the ‘under pressure from Russian mafia’ crap.
But more tellingly they were both under contract with Mooney. If Mooney is insistent on his innocence why has he just let them walk away from contracts that would have seen him continue to profit from them?
It seems to me that Mooney doesn’t even believe that his defence will stand up otherwise he would have been fighting harder than he has.
If Mooney doesn’t believe his own story then it follows that Higgins’ too is a load of old cock which in turn spells the end his career.
Comment by IanW — May 9, 2010 @ 1:31 pm Reply
The story that’s appeared this morning is not as bad as i feared; Mooney trying to big himself up and make himself appear to be some ‘God-like’ figure who can control all around him; a common problem with brainless noveau-riche who have suddenly come into a modicum of power. You can see this in middle-management in most large companies. (“…give ‘em a uniform and they think they’re Hitler” is the phrase that springs to mind).
My theory is that probably the Ladbrokes phone call is / was genuine and this was probably the catalyst for the sting a week ago.
Think about it; John Higgins rings in wanting to place a bet on his opponent; 200 Call Centre staff will all know within an hour; one of them thinks “…ah ha, there’s a story here that i can make a few quid out of” and goes to NOTW. The paper then sets things up and times it for maximum exposure around the W/Champs.
i’m inclined to agree that there maybe a bigger story here that’s been suppressed as this isn’t the ‘earth-shattering’ news that was promised.
This story is far from dead….unlike John’s career.
Comment by IanW — May 9, 2010 @ 8:27 am Reply
I just think what he means jibjib is that this needs to be put into perspective. It’s not as big as last week and not as damaging and will probably not be proved. Though just check the tweet he did after this one, it seemed to me that a few knowledgeable people seemed to think the story was something else entirely.
Comment by snookerbacker — May 9, 2010 @ 7:12 am Reply
The story is out.
http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/news/809149/How-John-Higgins-tried-to-bet-on-snooker-Championship.html
Basically, Higgins tried to bet against himself in last year’s World Championship final.
Dave Hendon has tweeted thus: Turns out to be a complete non-story AND Basically insurance betting. It’s against the rules but it’s been going on for years.
I’m in a state of shock that Dave considers this a “non-story”. Does he really think that the public will feel the same? I really despair for snooker when those on the inside can shrug their shoulders at this – if this was Wayne Rooney putting a bet on Man Utd not to win the league to “cover himself” can you imagine the uproar?
A heft dose of realism needs to be injected into snooker or I truly despair.
Comment by jibjib — May 9, 2010 @ 12:50 am Reply
Looks like the nutters have started to migrate. Can’t we vote UKIP or something to keep them off here !!!???
Comment by IanW — May 6, 2010 @ 7:52 pm Reply
It seems odd to shut the blog at such a vital time for snooker, with the Hearn proposals and all this Higgins nonsense. It is meant to be the official Snooker Scene blog after all – surely they would want to have a voice at a time when things are happening almost every day.
I do agree that it has (had?) more than its fair share of nutters though.
Comment by jibjib — May 6, 2010 @ 11:58 am Reply
Huh? In the words of Willie -Answers on a Postcard?
Message to Dave Hendon – reopen the asylum! Please!
Comment by snookerbacker — May 5, 2010 @ 11:18 pm Reply
Anonymous, May 2, 2010 @ 2:07 pm
Not sure Mr Hearn is ready to step aside for you just yet my friend, it must be a shame that the meeting went so very well for him today, and you are very right, there were a number of broken men there, Barry was not one of them.
You seem to know a lot about the Mooney/Higgins affair, guess you can let us know who the target actually was, because many of the uneducated think it is Higgins.
Comment by Dean Williams — May 5, 2010 @ 10:41 pm Reply
Me too, as I’m sure are an aghast public. To be honest though to me in terms of posters on his blog, he gets a bit of a hard time and it is his occupation after all, I got short shrift on there after just stating my views on something for being an imposter, I had been posting on there for years without the ‘SB’ tag, it must get him down with all that negativity around. Much nicer in the flowery, palma-violet/swizzles smelling world of World Championship Winner Tipster Mrs Snookerbacker (she’s back tomorrow to ‘open the box’) over the holiday season I reckon.
Got the pic btw, but wouldn’t dare to break the copyright laws of the ‘Method’. I share your amusement though and can feel a right hand menu post coming on with the title ‘Signs’ – I’m sure there are plenty of others with the same name dotted around the world that we can feature.
T=Shirt wrecked yet? I’ve got four to go out this week, I’m a bit behind.
Comment by snookerbacker — May 5, 2010 @ 10:03 pm Reply
actually i did see that ‘tweet’ but didn’t think too much of it. We all felt like that around that time (you were thinking along similar lines). Bit confused then as he’s doing other snooker related media stuff.
Comment by IanW — May 5, 2010 @ 9:07 pm Reply
He hinted on Twitter the other day that after the Higgins revelations that he was going to consider his future and whether he wanted to continue to be involved in the sport.
Comment by snookerbacker — May 5, 2010 @ 6:29 pm Reply
sorry SB…why has Dave shut down for bit?…i missed that…i only float by his site off and on..
Comment by IanW — May 5, 2010 @ 6:26 pm Reply
Maybe kimball, may arrive in the summer. I might have to conduct my own ‘fix’ into who wins the T-Shirts. I have just had to sell one of the dogs to pay for postage to your neck of the woods.
STUNG.
Comment by snookerbacker — May 4, 2010 @ 8:38 pm Reply
Hi there topdrawer!
I feel pretty lousy not naming G.Dott as one of the tournaments heroes,
corrected now.
Wheather is nice, spring is coming along, but personally and watching
the 20/20 cricket, it seems to be the place to go.
Glad that Swedes are tuning in to your blog, just shows how receptive
and able to turn 90 degrees clever people can be when being advised in a
gentle manner.
Maybe I am owing up to a T-shirt eventually?
Comment by kimball — May 4, 2010 @ 8:31 pm Reply
Hey kimball good to hear from you, I thought you had deserted me! Are you responsible for all this interest from Sweden????? Well whatever, I’m sorry that you didn’t have a great time bettingwise but look forward to hearing your thoughts on Shanghai next month – I need a holiday! How’s Sweden this time of year?
Comment by snookerbacker — May 4, 2010 @ 4:17 pm Reply
Well, nr 25. Contemplate the toxic fallout of a livebetting frame/match fix in Sully vs Tian Pengfei in Beijing.
That was a match where real money could be made.
Some people tried to hunt Ebbo to death for losing 0-5 to Wenbo so obviously,
it is cleverer to play the fool than pretending to be straight.
And in the garden of snookerparadise, a great championship with heroes like
Anda Zhang, Martin Gould, Steve Davis and the Thunderman!!
Thanks so much for a wonderful blog Mr.Snookerbacker!!
My bettingadventure were a total disaster and mainly the fault of Gold and
Graeme Dott.
I will now it grass for a month and if I survive you will here from me in
Shanghai Masters.
Comment by kimball — May 4, 2010 @ 2:38 pm Reply
“Last night’s Crucible final was overshadowed by secret filming showing outgoing champ John Higgins in Kiev, agreeing to throw frames in future matches in return for £261,000. Hearn said: “Steve has been there, seen it, done it and got the T-shirt.”
The Sun might want to rephrase that…
Comment by Tom / NL — May 4, 2010 @ 1:16 pm Reply
Barry Hearn is indeed a very clever man and a top businessman. I too think that he has so far handled this perfectly but to be honest I have yet to hear disagree with him on any subject. I never vote, but if he moved into politics I could be persuaded!
Glad to hear you are over the worst of your disappointment and obviously a break will refresh you. Keeping the blog up must be hard work – I recognise this and is why I feel it is important to give your regular positive feedback, although of course I wouldn’t if it were not true!
I don’t mind that you mistook me for your mother. I’ve already got 2 young children but if you would like me to consider adopting you then just say the word and we can look into it.
As usual, keep up the good, and rewarding, work.
Comment by the parkie — May 4, 2010 @ 11:14 am Reply
On the other hand, John’s rather naive way to ponder possible ways of how to transfer that money shows that apparently he never had given the matter any serious thought before. Which somehow speaks for him. Sort of.
Comment by Lucie P. — May 4, 2010 @ 8:45 am Reply
Why would anyone go to so much trouble to earn money out of snooker? There is an easier way…are you ready?
When the new season starts simply wait until Rory Mac is due to play someone lower than him in rankings in a cubicle. Then sell your house and all its contents, pawn your missus’ gold and lump it ALL the other bloke. Then simply sit in the audience down by the top cush and as the 2 players shake hands bring out a large cardboard box with a big fuck off lens sticking out of it with the words CAMERA written on it.
Get the money Mabel !!!!!!
Comment by IanW — May 3, 2010 @ 11:25 pm Reply
For me, the mafia/we were scared excuse stinks. If it is true, would Higgins really have been sitting there musing on whether one way to receive the money was to have them pay off the mortgage on his property in Spain? If you’re scared and you just want to get out of ‘Russia’ (haha – what kind of moron doesn’t even know which country he’s in?) as fast as possible, it’s funny to sit there with your feet up revealing a lot of information about yourself.
The excuse just doesn’t tally with the way they are behaving in the video, however heavily it’s edited.
Comment by ed — May 3, 2010 @ 9:24 pm Reply
It’s possible that the previous administration would have buried their heads in the sand of course (they had form for that after all!), but I do feel that Hearn has an uphill struggle to change the attitudes of some of the players. I honestly don’t think some of them realise how close snooker is to becoming a true minority sport if something isn’t done.
In the words of the immortal Curtis Mayfield – ‘No-one’s serious / and it makes me furious!’
Comment by jibjib — May 3, 2010 @ 8:02 pm Reply
Thanks Jibjib – the response to my announcement to ‘Quit’ has been quite overwhelming!!! There must be more oddballs like myself out there than I first thought, I sometimes just write them for fun like I’m talking to myself
I do that too by the way. After a break I will come back refreshed for the new season but obviously now, snooker may not have a closed season in the summer. Expect plenty of tongue in cheek semi-serious backchat, until I overstep the mark and get myself shut down. But we’re on pretty safe ground with the Higgins incident as it won’t get legal, at least not at this point, haven’t seen what they have in store next week yet.
Comment by snookerbacker — May 3, 2010 @ 8:00 pm Reply
Fair point jibjib, all things like this should be reported, however, under the previous administration – what would have been done? Under this one, the instructions are clear, hopefully this will iron out something that is probably a lot more common than you or I really know.
Comment by snookerbacker — May 3, 2010 @ 7:52 pm Reply
Thanks again for the kind words Mum, sorry, I mean parkie! Nearly slipped up there. I had a miserable day yesterday and it did destroy my faith in human nature and the sport a little, but as someone who should in reality be thinking ‘what I can do with this over the quiet months!!’ I’ve soon come round. I was thinking of packing it in and I will need a break from it for a few days after all this but hopefully this will all blow over and the ship will be put in the right direction again. To be honest the support I’ve had to carry on has been quite humbling and has persuaded me.
Whilst I do think there are a lot of things that we don’t know here, the evidence against Higgins and particularly Mooney is stacking up. I think Ian W on here hit the nail on the head when he said, if they felt they were put in a situation they believed to be life threatening, then why didn’t they immediately tell Barry Hearn? He said tellingly in the conference today that this is what upset him the most, he’s a clever man and has played this perfectly. He is certain to get the backing of the players now when previously I’d argue it was still in the balance.
Comment by snookerbacker — May 3, 2010 @ 7:50 pm Reply
Seconded.
I enjoy this blog for more than just the betting tips (although they’re pretty helpful as well!). Snooker needs its true devotees more than ever right now and I really hope you decide to keep the faith and continue sb. Appreciate it’s a big commitment but I’m sure many of your loyal readers would be happy to help out if it helps keep this refreshing blog alive.
Comment by jibjib — May 3, 2010 @ 7:47 pm Reply
I am looking forward to reading that Ebbo story. He appears to be a rather smart guy.
Comment by Lucie P. — May 3, 2010 @ 7:36 pm Reply
Hi snookerbacker,
I’ve just posted a comment on Dave Hendon’s blog regarding that player who claimed he was offered money to throw a match. His attitude in subsequent posts – players don’t report approaches because they don’t need the “hassle” – just sums up all that is wrong with the attitude of the players. They’re all content to sit back and do nothing, and expect someone to hand them a living.
In that respect at least, Hearn is 100% correct.
Comment by jibjib — May 3, 2010 @ 7:35 pm Reply
Hi SB
First I’ve posted in relation to this. When I first heard of all this I was stunned with disbelief. I assumed it couldn’t be right but upon watching the video and reading JH’s subsequent comments, in my opinion he is guilty and as such, should be removed from the game full stop.
I’ve just been catching up with all this via your blog and am as saddened to hear that you are wondering whether to carry on yourself. These are dark days but please do not let these sorry individuals tarnish your love for the game. These people are a tiny minority and should be treated with contempt by all others. I said to you that when I first started reading your blog that I think that it is excellent and I still hold this view. I urge you not to give up firstly for yourself and secondly for all the people who enjoy your blog.
All the best
Comment by the parkie — May 3, 2010 @ 7:27 pm Reply
Unconfirmed reports of chicken kievs, but I’ve re-hired Si-Ting to find out, I’m sure he’ll get to the bottom of it.
Comment by snookerbacker — May 3, 2010 @ 6:31 pm Reply
SB any idea what was in the suitcases ?
Comment by john — May 3, 2010 @ 6:30 pm Reply
“…I’m disappointed Ollie & Stan didn’t tell me about the meeting straight after” !!!
TOLD YA SO …NAH NAH NAH NAH NAH….that’s ’cause they didn’t want you to know Bazzer !!!
(still think LoadsaMooney is a better nickname…but you’re right that Higgins is a ringer for Stan…another possible t-Shirt SB?)
Comment by IanW — May 3, 2010 @ 2:14 pm Reply
Remember in the future that Mr Mooney should always be referred to on this blog as either, Ollie, Oliver, Hardy or Oliver Hardy. Whilst John is Stan, Stanley, Laurel or Stan Laurel.
Comment by snookerbacker — May 3, 2010 @ 11:52 am Reply
I watched the video on line of Pat Mooney trying to defend his actions, saying he was “concerned for his safety and was fortunate to get out of the country”, you would think he was in a war zone or a hostage situation the way he tells it.
He Was In A Five Star Hotel Drinking Champagne, its pathetic and insulting.
I dread to think what people who have genuinely been in a position of fear think about his bleating. Hang your head in shame Mr Mooney.
Comment by main tour boy — May 3, 2010 @ 11:44 am Reply
Dave has crap taste in movies.
Comment by Greg P. — May 3, 2010 @ 2:19 am Reply
To be honest mate she wasn’t looking the best before breakfast, and looked in shock. Maybe big willy had shown her his armoury. Does anyone else on here remember that game in Prague? Cant find it on Youtube but Im sure the lad he played was in a rock band or something
Comment by deco800 — May 2, 2010 @ 11:09 pm Reply
Not sure but Snooker needs a face to get through the crisis here. Great to see Neil Robertson’s mum there. Top Drawer.
Comment by snookerbacker — May 2, 2010 @ 9:45 pm Reply
what was hazel wearing?
would you?
Comment by Anonymous — May 2, 2010 @ 9:19 pm Reply
Nice to see Peter Ebdon in the audience tonight. Wonder why he’s there? Probably because he’s staying for the meeting next week with Baz, they’re great pals, then it’s back to Budapest.
Anyway, to me Ebbo has always been a good guy and very passionate about the game. Have a very funny story about him in an event at Pontins a few years back I will probably recount at some point.
Is that too political?
Dotty’s not doing too well at the minute.
Back to the snok.
Comment by snookerbacker — May 2, 2010 @ 9:11 pm Reply
I heard a very funny ‘Hearnism’ today, words to the effect that his admiration for darts players has risen in light of this, as they always try 100%.
OK.
Comment by snookerbacker — May 2, 2010 @ 8:54 pm Reply
Bit of a rubbish BBC Scotland update
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/scotland/8657451.stm
Comment by snookerbacker — May 2, 2010 @ 8:48 pm Reply
http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/news/802255/100k-to-throw-it-Snooker-ace-Mark-King-reveals-he-was-offered-100000-to-throw-a-match.html
Mark King’s ‘old news’.
Comment by snookerbacker — May 2, 2010 @ 8:30 pm Reply
I agree, but what we have seen is also pretty damning stuff. As well as what I said above, the defence from Mooney and Higgins absence speak volumes. John should have been advised to face the public today and put his point across, his public personality is after all one of his strongest assets. Even if he apologises for some of the things he said. The Russian Mafia excuse just smells of panic to me. The ‘there’s no cameras here’ line when Higgins looks round the room is just depressing.
Comment by snookerbacker — May 2, 2010 @ 8:02 pm Reply
what we have seen so far is obviously a heavily edited video it will be interesting if we ever get to see the unedited version
Comment by onestep — May 2, 2010 @ 7:54 pm Reply
All these are stored in the memory bank Ian. I have to make a living when all we have on TV is the Premier League and the odd billiards event from the Yemen with commentary from a tired sounding Willie.
Comment by snookerbacker — May 2, 2010 @ 7:27 pm Reply
Yes it’s all looking pretty grim at the moment. Barry’s finest hour? Or will he just leave us to it? Only one way to decide, The Pulse!
Comment by snookerbacker — May 2, 2010 @ 7:25 pm Reply
NOTW also say there’s more to come next weekend !!!
Looks like they’re doing the usual of ‘wait and see who hangs themself’ during the week to see if they can then make further fools of them next Sunday.
OK SB…how about a t-shirt using the NOTW front page a la Paul Merton / Angus Deyton?
Comment by IanW — May 2, 2010 @ 7:23 pm Reply
I read the NOTW have further revelations planned for next sunday:
http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/news/804203/John-Higgins-suspended-from-future-snooker-tournaments-following-NotW-bribes-scandal-story-News-of-the-World-statement.html
Maybe we’ll wake up from this nightmare tomorrow
Comment by deco800 — May 2, 2010 @ 7:08 pm Reply
Thanks Teo – I’ll put it up there. T-Shirt should be with you next week by the way. Hope you’re enjoying the snooker despite today.
Comment by snookerbacker — May 2, 2010 @ 6:49 pm Reply
http://video.news.sky.com/skynews/Home/video/Snooker-Star-John-Higgins-Suspended-His-Manager-Pat-Mooney-Talks-To-Sky-News/Video/201005115623913?lpos=UK+News_2&lid=VIDEO_ACT+BB+SU+PAT+MOONEY+IRN_Snooker+Star+Higgins+Suspended&videoCategory=UK+News
A link (a fairly long one) to a Pat Mooney interview.
Comment by Teo — May 2, 2010 @ 6:45 pm Reply
‘It makes me sick to my stomach and for me this is the saddest day in my thirty odd years involvement in the sport. If I could, I would seriously consider walking away from the sport tomorrow. The video is one of the sickest things I’ve ever seen’.
The brains behind the excellent Global Snooker Website earlier today summing up what all fans of our tarnished sport are feeling.
Comment by snookerbacker — May 2, 2010 @ 6:30 pm Reply
‘Nothing much has happened today. No real main talking points. Press room a bit flat. Some days are like that’
Steve Davis with his tongue firmly in his cheek on Twitter 2 hours ago.
Comment by snookerbacker — May 2, 2010 @ 6:18 pm Reply
‘Today I’m reminded of Al Pacino in The Insider…’something has been broken here that will never be repaired’
Dave Hendon on Twitter from the Crucible. I kind of know how he feels but I hope the tough talk from Hearn can perhaps turn things around. But who to trust? Who knows what? Who did what?
So many questions that need answering, but this has a highly political feel to it at the moment to me.
Comment by snookerbacker — May 2, 2010 @ 6:13 pm Reply
Good idea, I could put a picture of the Sheriff of Pottingham on it. You can’t have it though, they must be earned.
Comment by snookerbacker — May 2, 2010 @ 5:55 pm Reply
“…are they stupid SB”?…too fooking right they’re stupid. But if being stupid was a crime then i’m afraid we’d have a very small number of players playing on the tour.
There’s a big difference between being stupid and criminal (although the two do go often together).
As per my post below, there are just a handful of simple questions to be answered. Answer these and we’ll all know where we stand.
ps. can i have another t-shirt made up? I want the slogan “I Shot JH” on it.
Comment by IanW — May 2, 2010 @ 5:35 pm Reply
I’m a bit confused at the level of money that a fake ‘gambling syndicate’ purported to be able to offer to make untold riches from one frame of what is a very small event. I mean where would they have placed these bets? The last time I looked the exchanges didn’t even price up the World Series, it was sponsored for a bit last year by Sportingbet but you couldn’t get a decent bet on it. They should have smelt a rat immediately. Are they stupid?
Comment by snookerbacker — May 2, 2010 @ 5:11 pm Reply
Let’s get the chain of events right here.
Mooney, (now to be known as LoadsaMooney) was supposed to be working closely with Hearn and looking to incorporate WSS events into the WSA calendar. This is a fundamental point here as Mooney claims to have already met these jokers 2 or 3 times already in Scotland. It therefore stands to reason that that Hearn must have known about these meetings as the point of the trip to Kiev, as Mooney says, was to move things to ‘ the contract stage’. If negotiations had got that far then surely Hearn must have known. If Hearn didn’t know then Mooney was either a) incompetent or negligent in not keeping the chairman and fellow director of the governing body of snooker informed or b) trying to keep things to himself for reasons that have come to light.
So the key question to ask here is: did Hearn know that Mooney & Higgins were in Kiev? If the answer is No then why hadn’t Mooney told him? If the answer is Yes then on their return from Kiev surely Hearn would have asked “…what happened in Kiev”? Now that question could not have been asked because when this scandal happened Hearn quite clearly knew nothing about match fixing allegations or he would have nipped all this in the bud this morning by saying something along the lines of “…yes, I knew all this already ‘cause Mooney & Higgins felt they’d been threatened, told me on their return and the deal had been canned”….but he didn’t !! so Mooney could not have told him !!!
The only defence here is that Mooney believed that this was to be part of a WSS event and therefore it had nothing to do with the WSA and as such Hearn had no need to know. If that is the case then that simply makes a mockery of the ‘new board’ saying they’re all working together for the good of the game.
So a) did Hearn know they were in Kiev to finalise a deal? b) if not why not?
At best Mooney is comes out of this naïve / incompetent / stupid, any of which do not make him suitable for a place on the board dealing with multi-million pound decisions.
At worst he comes out as secretive and a person open to corruption.
If John Higgins ‘feared for his life’ why did he keep it all to himself and not see fit to tell anyone about it?
These are the simple questions for PC Plod of the board to ask.
Comment by IanW — May 2, 2010 @ 3:47 pm Reply
I’m not sure who this is directed towards but thanks for your contribution.
Comment by snookerbacker — May 2, 2010 @ 3:20 pm Reply
It looks like Barry Hearn?s chairmanship is in meltdown, add the latest John Higgins & Pat Mooney affair to the conflict that is already rife within WPBSA and you have a position that is a million miles away from the promises that were made by?Barry Hearn and his supporters?prior to him becoming chairman.
?
I have highlighted the massive conflict in previous emails, i.e. hundreds of thousands of pounds of your money?handed over?to ventures controlled by his mates?on the board Mooney & Parker.? ?(This was one of the many reasons?for?Lee Doyle’s resignation) plus taking all your commercial rights into a company that has unchallengeable control?and that will also have?current Wpbsa board members?as shareholders.
?
Pat Mooney and John Higgins were the main critics of the previous board casting doubt on their integrity and many other things – I don’t remember any of the previous board being involved in anything so despicable?as match fixing, whose integrity is in question now??
?
Mooney in particular had the?audacity to phone the previous chairman and ask him to resign, while all the time he was involved in?match fixing?and possible criminal acts that have damaged your game extensively
?
The players must now surely see all the smart talk was nothing other than a ploy to get the commercial rights of the company and dictate who will be rewarded and who will be deemed journeymen.
?
The board of the Wpbsa has not been selected by the members,?they have all been co-opted on by their mates, are in the process of carving up your association – if you allow it to happen.?
?
Fortunately there is still time for you to save your association from this takeover, when that time arrives you have the ability to do something about it.
?
If the board had any integrity they would resign with immediate effect.
Comment by Anonymous — May 2, 2010 @ 2:07 pm Reply
Stayed at the Mercure last night (courtesy of the Dotty bet!) and saw Hazel at breakfast this morning – it would be fair that she looked mortified. Good luck with presenting this afternoon is all I can say. Interestingly World Snooker official knew nothing of the scandal.
The paper blocks out names for people implicated, having had time on my hands on the train back up to Newcastle this morning amongst those that fit the blocks are Marcus Campbell, Fergal O’Brien, Martin Gould , Peter Lines, Barry Hawkins, Daniel Wells and our old friend Jamie Burnett. The fact that Higgins has dragged innocent players into this is even more sickening.
One last thing…I remember Higgins loosing a frame in Prague to an unknown who had only just seen a snooker table..Anyone smell a rat?
Comment by deco800 — May 2, 2010 @ 11:49 am Reply
i cant believe this john is a hero of mine im gutted
Comment by onestep — May 2, 2010 @ 10:35 am Reply