Lenny Boyle
Stephen Lee Case Shows Match Fixing Can Strike Anywhere
15/02/2013
World Snooker has released a statement about embattled snooker player Stephen Lee.
The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association said he has “a case to answer” following a long running match-fixing investigation.
Lee has been suspended since October 12 due to four alleged breaches. “These alleged breaches relate to four matches at the Malta Cup 2008, two matches at the UK Championship 2008, one match at the China Open 2009 and one match at the World Championship 2009.”
Suspicious betting surrounding his Premier League match with John Higgins is still under investigation.
All of this comes after shock revelations about match fixing across European football. The scourge of match fixing is affecting all modern sport. But with betting syndicates, and international gangsters from across the globe combining to fix matches; stamping out match fixing, whatever the sport, is an incredibly difficult task.
“As a result of the referral by the Gambling Commission on 5th October 2012, Nigel Mawer the Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee of the WPBSA, launched an investigation into alleged match fixing by Stephen Lee in relation to matches at the Malta Cup 2008, the UK Championship 2008, the China Open in 2009 and the World Championship 2009.
The WPBSA has gathered a large amount of material from the Gambling Commission, West Midlands police and third parties in relation to these allegations. This has been a complex investigation where the material has had to be traced, recovered and re-evaluated with regard to the WPBSA rules.
The available evidence has now been considered and in accordance with the Disciplinary Rules, the Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee has decided that there is a case for Stephen Lee to answer in relation to a breach of the WPBSA Members Rules. These alleged breaches relate to four matches at the Malta Cup 2008, two matches at the UK Championship 2008, one match at the China Open 2009 and one match at the World Championship 2009.
The case will be heard at a formal independent hearing arranged by Sport Resolutions UK at a date to be arranged.
Stephen Lee is currently suspended from competition and Jason Ferguson, the Chairman of the WPBSA, has decided that the suspension will remain in force until the conclusion of the hearing or hearings and the determination of this matter.
The investigation into the suspicious betting in relation to Stephen Lee's Premier League match with John Higgins on 11th October 2012 is ongoing.
blog comments powered by