SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
Mark King has been suspended from the World Snooker Tour (WST) during an ongoing investigation into reports of irregular betting activity.
In particular, the 48-year-old’s 4-0 defeat against Joe Perry at the Welsh Open on 13 February is being studied by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA).
The governing body’s Chairman, Jason Ferguson, explained that King is now barred from both attending and competing in the competition with ‘immediate effect’.
The WPBSA continued: “The suspension will remain in place until the conclusion of the investigation or any subsequent charges that may or may not be brought.”
The English professional – who ranks world number 57 in the sport – has the right to appeal this decision.
After reaching a professional standard in 1991, King succeeded in a world ranking of 11 in 2003, with his only ranking title coming at the Northern Ireland Open back in 2016.
King now becomes the 11th player to be suspended by the WPBSA since October 2022 concerning match-fixing allegations.
He joins former Triple Crown winners Yan Bingtao and Zhao Xintong, as well as Liang Wenbo, Lu Ning, Li Hang, Zhao Jianbo, Bai Langning, Chang Bingyu and Chen Zifan.
