Mark King becomes first Brit and 11th player suspended in snooker fixing probe

18 March 2023 , 18:09

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Snooker player Mark King has been suspended (Image: VCG/VCG via Getty Images)

Former Northern Ireland Open winner Mark King has been suspended while an investigation is carried out into alleged irregular betting patterns concerning his Welsh Open match against Joe Perry in February.

King was beaten 4-0 by Perry, who is not under investigation, and his suspension comes after 10 Chinese snooker players were charged with a variety of different breaches of snooker's betting rules including match-fixing.

"WPBSA Chairman Jason Ferguson has today taken the decision to suspend Mark King from attending or competing on the World Snooker Tour with immediate effect," a statement from the sport's governing body read.

"This follows an initial investigation of irregular betting patterns reported to the WPBSA on the match between Mark King and Joe Perry at the Welsh Open on 13th February 2023.

"The suspension will remain in place until the conclusion of the investigation or any subsequent charges that may or may not be brought. Mark King has the right to appeal this decision."

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Perry, meanwhile, has spoken of his shock at the news and revealed he simply felt King was having "not such a good day at the office" when he beat him. "I've not heard anything about it, I've had no input whatsoever up to this point," he told the Metro.

Joe Perry, who beat King 4-0 at the Welsh Open, has spoken of his shock at the news (VCG/VCG via Getty Images)

"We're both getting on and both capable of playing some good stuff and some awful stuff, I just thought he had not such a good day at the office. That's how I saw it, no more, no less.

"I'm shocked to be honest, really shocked. It's well-documented he had a gambling addiction years ago and he's done so well to stay away from that, I know he's worked hard to stay away from that.

"I hope it comes to nothing, I hope it's just a coincidence and it comes to nothing. I'd hate to see any truth in it."

Matthew Cooper