Snooker star Mark King found guilty of match fixing, banned for five years

King - who had a career high world ranking of 11th and won the inaugural Northern Ireland Open in Belfast in 2016 - had been suspended from the World Snooker Tour professional circuit since March 18th, 2023, due to betting activity surrounding his 4-0 opening round loss to Joe Perry at the 2023 Welsh Open a few weeks earlier.

Following an official statement from the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) - the sport’s governing body - on its website on Friday morning (November 15), the outcome of the case has now been resolved, with King found guilty by an independent panel and issued with a lengthy ban and big fine.

Now aged 50, King’s professional snooker career is almost certainly over.

The WPBSA statement read: The Independent Disciplinary Committee has delivered its decision on the case of the WPBSA and Mark King. He has been found guilty of one count of match fixing and one count of providing inside information on that match. He has been suspended from the sport for 5 years and to pay £68,299.50 in costs.

On 18th March 2023 Mark King was suspended by the WPBSA after suspicious betting was reported on his match with Joe Perry played on 13th February 2023. The WPBSA supported by bet monitoring partner Sportradar and the Sports Betting Intelligence Unit at the Gambling Commission conducted a thorough investigation.

After taking independent legal advice, the WPBSA decided that Mark King had a case to answer for fixing the outcome of the Perry match and his match against John Higgins played on 13th December 2022 and providing inside information on those matches that was used for betting. On 28th November 2023 his case was referred for a disciplinary hearing.

Mark King denied the charges and his case was heard before an Independent Disciplinary Committee convened by Sport Resolutions. The hearing was Chaired by Graeme McPherson KC and took place in London between 7th – 9th May 2024.

At that hearing the WPBSA was represented by Counsel, and Mr King was represented by Counsel and solicitors who acted pro bono for him.

The Independent Disciplinary Committee placed an embargo on publication of its liability decision in the case until it had received submissions on sanctions and delivered its final decision.

The Disciplinary Committee’s findings as set out in its liability decision and its decision on sanction are that in relation to the Joe Perry match only, Mark King acted in breach of Part 2 Rule 2.1.2.1 and Rule 2.2 of the WPBSA Regulations as alleged in charge 3:

Charge 3: ‘That between about 1 January 2023 and 14 February 2023 in breach of Part 2 rule 2.1.2.1 and rule 2.2 [of the WPBSA Regulations] you fixed or contrived, or were a party to an effort to fix or contrive the result or score of [the Perry match]’;

And

Acted in breach of Part 2 Rule 2.1.3.1 of the WPBSA Regulations as alleged in Charge 4:

2. d) Charge 4: ‘That between about 1 January 2023 and 14 February 2023 in breach of Part 2 rule 2.1.3.1 [of the WPBSA Regulations] you provided information for [sic] to be used for betting purposes to another person or persons and that information included the fact that you would contrive the score and/or outcome of the [Perry match]’.

The two other charges relating to his match with John Higgins played on 13th December 2022 were dismissed.

The WPBSA highlights that it was not part of the WPBSA’s case that any other player than Mr King was involved in the match fixing, and Mr Perry and Mr Higgins were not accused of any misfeasance.

The Independent Disciplinary Committee’s decision on sanction and costs are:

· From 18th March 2023 until 17th March 2028 (both dates inclusive), Mr King is precluded from participating in any way in activities or events recognised or organised by the WPBSA (including but not limited to playing coaching, officiating, management, organisation, administration and/or promotion, and

· Mr King shall pay costs to the WPBSA in the sum of £68,299.50

King does have until November 28th this year to appeal this outcome.