No charges over snooker bet probe

Jamie Burnett and Stephen MaguireMaguire won the match in question 9-3

No charges are to be brought against two professional snooker players who were questioned by police over alleged irregular betting patterns.

Stephen Maguire, 30, and Jamie Burnett, 35, both from Glasgow, were questioned over a match they played at the Maplin UK Championship on 14 December 2008.

The Crown has decided there is not enough evidence to justify prosecution.

Snooker’s governing body, the WPBSA, will now decide whether to take any disciplinary proceedings.

WPBSA chairman Jason Ferguson said: “We are treating this case very seriously.

“We will now be given access to the evidence connected with the case, and our disciplinary committee will review that evidence thoroughly.”

Stephen Maguire won his first round match against Jamie Burnett 9-3 at the Maplin UK Championship in Telford.

Prior to the game, a number of bookmakers suspended betting after large amounts of money were placed on Maguire to win 9-3.

After the game, the 33-year-old denied any wrongdoing and said he knew the situation and the pressure had affected his play.

World Snooker launched a formal investigation and instructed specialist lawyers to help in the case.

Strathclyde Police launched its own inquiry and questioned both players in August 2009. They were released without charge.

Stephen Maguire turned professional in 1998 and is currently ranked eighth in the world.

Jamie Burnett turned professional in 1992 and is currently ranked 39th in the world.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

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