Disgraced former snooker skilled Mark King had his enchantment for a match fixing ban dismissed, it was introduced by the WPBSA on Wednesday.
The World Skilled Billiards and Snooker Affiliation launched a brief assertion outlining {that a} last resolution was made on Tuesday.
“On seventh November 2024 the Impartial Disciplinary Committee delivered its last resolution within the case of the WPBSA and Mark King,” the WPBSA assertion learn.
“He was discovered responsible of 1 rely of match fixing and one rely of offering inside data on his match performed in opposition to Joe Perry on thirteenth February 2023.”
“He was suspended from the game for five years and ordered to pay £68,299.50 in prices.
“Mark King appealed the choice of the Impartial Disciplinary Committee and on eighth April 2025 his enchantment was heard by an Impartial Appeals Committee Chaired by Philip Evans KC.
“On thirteenth Might 2025 the Impartial Appeals Committee issued its resolution on the Enchantment.
“Mr King’s Enchantment has been refused and the findings in opposition to Mr King relating to his match with Joe Perry and in relation to the sanction that was imposed on the authentic Listening to will stand.
“A choice relating to the prices of the Enchantment will likely be made in the end.”
King, aged 51, first turned skilled in 1991 and reached as excessive as quantity 11 on this planet rankings.
His best profession achievement transpired on the 2016 Northern Eire Open when he edged Barry Hawkins in a dramatic deciding-frame thriller to seize his sole rating title.
King will likely be unable to compete competitively till no less than 2028, along with his profession as knowledgeable in tatters and his title inside the recreation perpetually tarnished.
The WPBSA initially introduced his five-year ban late final 12 months after a protracted investigation and hearings course of.
“The Impartial Disciplinary Committee has delivered its resolution on the case of the WPBSA and Mark King,” the assertion in November learn.
“He has been discovered responsible of 1 rely of match fixing and one rely of offering inside data on that match.”
“He has been suspended from the game for five years and to pay £68,299.50 in prices.
“On 18th March 2023 Mark King was suspended by the WPBSA after suspicious betting was reported on his match with Joe Perry performed on thirteenth February 2023.
“On 18th March 2023 Mark King was suspended by the WPBSA after suspicious betting was reported on his match with Joe Perry performed on thirteenth February 2023.
“After taking unbiased authorized recommendation, the WPBSA determined that Mark King had a case to reply for fixing the result of the Perry match and his match in opposition to John Higgins performed on thirteenth December 2022 and offering inside data on these matches that was used for betting.
“On twenty eighth November 2023 his case was referred for a disciplinary listening to.
“Mark King denied the costs and his case was heard earlier than an Impartial Disciplinary Committee convened by Sport Resolutions.
“The listening to was Chaired by Graeme McPherson KC and came about in London between seventh – ninth Might 2024.
“At that listening to the WPBSA was represented by Counsel, and Mr King was represented by Counsel and solicitors who acted professional bono for him.
“The Impartial Disciplinary Committee positioned an embargo on publication of its legal responsibility resolution within the case till it had acquired submissions on sanctions and delivered its last resolution.
“The Disciplinary Committee’s findings as set out in its legal responsibility resolution and its resolution on sanction are that in relation to the Joe Perry match solely, Mark King acted in breach of Half 2 Rule 2.1.2.1 and Rule 2.2 of the WPBSA Laws as alleged in cost 3:
“Cost 3: ‘That between about 1 January 2023 and 14 February 2023 in breach of Half 2 rule 2.1.2.1 and rule 2.2 [of the WPBSA Regulations] you fastened or contrived, or had been a celebration to an effort to repair or contrive the end result or rating of [the Perry match]’; And
“Acted in breach of Half 2 Rule 2.1.3.1 of the WPBSA Laws as alleged in Cost 4:
“2. d) Cost 4: ‘That between about 1 January 2023 and 14 February 2023 in breach of Half 2 rule 2.1.3.1 [of the WPBSA Regulations] you offered data for [sic] for use for betting functions to a different individual or individuals and that data included the truth that you’ll contrive the rating and/or final result of the [Perry match]’.”
The 2 different prices referring to his match with John Higgins performed on thirteenth December 2022 had been dismissed.
WPBSA chairman Jason Ferguson mentioned on the time: “The worldwide growth of this sport brings with it nice accountability, each for our gamers, and for the WPBSA as the game’s world governing physique.”
“I’ve identified Mark King since he was very younger, he’s a really skilled participant who has loved nice success, and I’m deeply saddened to learn the discovering on this case.
“Nonetheless, the integrity of this sport will at all times be our primary precedence.
“This case is testomony to the truth that no stone will ever be left unturned in guaranteeing that the lots of of tens of millions of snooker followers worldwide, and our many world companions, can have full confidence on this unbelievable sport.”
Featured photograph credit score: WST
