A decision in the case brought by the WPBSA against Mark King, who was charged for Match Fixing offences, has been issued by the WPBSA Disciplinary Committee.
Following a match between Mark King and Joe Perry at the Welsh Open, on 13 February 2023, the WPBSA became concerned that the outcome of the match had been fixed. An investigation ensued. During this time, the WPBSA received additional information that expanded the scope of the investigation to include a match played on 13 December 2022, between Mark King and John Higgins at the English Open.
On 28 November 2023, the WPBSA subsequently charged Mr King with four breaches of the WPBSA Conduct Regulations, relating to Part 1 Section 2 – Betting Rules – Rule 2.1.2.1, Rule 2.1.3.1, and Rule 2.2. An interim suspension was imposed from 18 March 2023, pending the determination of the alleged breaches.
Sport Resolutions was asked to appoint and administer a Disciplinary Hearing before the WPBSA Disciplinary Committee, comprising of Graeme McPherson KC (Chair), Steven Flynn, and Gordon Mckay.
The WPBSA presented their case by way of three strands of evidence: (1) betting evidence, showing extraordinary betting by groups of connected persons and the coincidence of the type and timing of the betting; (2) association evidence, setting out links between many of the bettors and indirect links between Mr King and many of the bettors; and (3) performance evidence, asserting poor (and consequently suspicious) shot selection and performance by Mr King in the two matches.
Mark King denied each of the charges. It was argued that Mr King would not risk his career, his livelihood, and potentially his family life for the sake of a financial benefit to be gained from agreeing to fix a match. Further, Mr King argued that, since 2021, he had been hampered by an injury to his left ring finger, which affected his performance particularly during his match against Joe Perry.
A three-day hearing took place between 7 and 9 May 2024. Video evidence was relied upon during the questioning of the expert witnesses, so that each expert could opine on the correctness and reasonableness of Mr King’s shot selection and the quality of Mr King’s shot execution in each of the relevant matches, against Joe Perry and separately, against John Higgins.
The affiliations that existed between the expert witnesses and the party that called upon them was considered by the Disciplinary Committee in reaching its decision. In addition, the Disciplinary Committee considered opposing views on Mr King’s financial position, character, and reliability as a witness.
The Disciplinary Committee thereby determined that the charges relating to the match against Joe Perry on 13 February 2023 had, on the balance of probabilities, been substantiated. Considered as a whole, the Disciplinary Committee determined that the Betting Evidence, the Association Evidence and the Performance Evidence demonstrated that the outcome of the match had been fixed or contrived; Mr King was a party to an agreement to fix or contrive the result or score of this match at 4-0; and Mr King provided information to another person (to be used for betting purposes) to the effect that he would contrive the score or outcome of this match at 4-0 to Mr Perry.
In respect of the charges relating to the match against John Higgins, the Disciplinary Committee was not satisfied that the charges had been, on the balance of probabilities, proven. Unlike the match against Joe Perry, the Disciplinary Committee determined that there was nothing particularly unusual or suspicious about the betting on this match and they were not satisfied that there was anything untoward about Mr King’s performance in this match.
Having considered written submissions from either party on the appropriate length of the suspension to impose and the inclusion of an order for costs, the Disciplinary Committee considered the aggravating factors of this case and the costs of the proceedings. A further decision was issued that set out that 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) for five years, from 18 March 2023 until 17 March 2028, and Mr King shall pay costs to the WPBSA in the sum of £68,299.50.
The decision is subject to appeal to the WPBSA Appeals Committee.
Sport Resolutions acted as the independent secretariat to the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association Disciplinary Committee.
A copy of the full decision can be accessed via the related links tab on the right-hand side.
