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Higgins banned until November

John Higgins will miss the World Open © Getty Images

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John Higgins has been banned from all snooker until November 1 and fined £75,000 following frame-fixing allegations.

The world No. 1 has been suspended from snooker, pending the outcome of the tribunal, since May when frame-fixing allegations appeared in the News of the World.

He maintained his innocence and the tribunal, chaired by Ian Mill QC, found the Scot not guilty of frame fixing but guilty of bringing the game into disrepute.

He admitted "intentionally giving the impression to others that they were agreeing to act in breach of the betting rules" and failing to report the matter promptly to World Snooker, the game's governing body. However, the charges of "agreeing or offering" to accept bribes and "agreeing to engage in corrupt or fraudulent conduct" were dropped.

Higgins will miss the World Open in his native Glasgow from September 18-26, but will be free to resume his career at the UK Championship in December. However, his agent, Pat Mooney, had been permanently suspended. Mr Mill QC claimed Mooney put his client's career at "serious and wholly unjustifiable risk".

World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn said he believed Higgins was led into the situation and 'did not instigate any discussions of corrupt activity' and backed the world No. 1 to bounce back.

"John made a mistake in failing to report the meeting in Kiev," Hearn said in a statement. "He has admitted this mistake and expressed great regret at what happened. It seems certain, in view of his previous record and the ambassadorial work he has done for snooker, that this was a mistake he will never repeat.

"John has suffered a devastating blow to his career and reputation, but he can come back from it - and he has pledged to help others learn from his experiences."

Higgins said: "The statement I made in May immediately after the newspaper accusations was 100% true then and they are 100% true today. I have never been involved in any form of snooker match fixing.

"In my 18 years playing professional snooker, I've never deliberately missed a shot, never intentionally lost a frame or a match. I am glad the WPBSA's view of the events in Kiev reflects that statement. If I am guilty of anything, it is naivety and trusting those who I believed were working in the best interests of snooker and myself.

"I accept I should have informed the WPBSA officials about the events in Kiev immediately on my return to the UK. I accept the decision to suspend me for six months and impose a fine of £75,000.

"Those who run the WPBSA have made it plain that if the sport is to advance it must be above reproach and those of us playing and involved in snooker must be cleaner than clean.

"Those who know me will appreciate I have tried to encourage and advance snooker and have also tried to be an ambassador for the sport.

"I will, and always have, worked with the snooker authorities to promote the good reputation of snooker throughout the UK.

"I was one of the loudest voices calling for the change in snooker and one of the loudest voices calling for Barry Hearn to guide the sport I love onwards and upwards. This has been a traumatic time for me and those closest to me.

"It has been made all the more hurtful by the knowledge that I never have and never would fix a snooker match. I have been sustained by the love and support of my wife, family and friends.

"I must also thank the many fans from around the world who have encouraged me back and raised my spirits."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.