Higgins vows to fight match-fixing allegations

The world's number one snooker player John Higgins has said he faces "the biggest match of my life" after being suspended over claims he agreed to take a huge bribe in return for fixing games.

Britain's News of the World on Sunday released a video showing what it said was Higgins and his manager Pat Mooney agreeing to lose frames in four matches later this year in return for a 300,000-euro bribe.

The news sent shockwaves through the snooker world and cast a shadow over the World Championship final, which came to a close in Sheffield last night.

But Higgins vehemently denied the claims and said: "Today is the start of the biggest match of my life.

"It's not the World Championship that's at stake, it's something even more important, my reputation. I have never been involved in any form of snooker match-fixing."

Snooker's governing body suspended the three-time world champion from all its tournaments pending a probe in the wake of the claims, warning he could face a long ban.

Barry Hearn, chairman of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA), said the world's top snooker player was in tears when he spoke to him on the phone about the claims.

He added Higgins's "whole career is in doubt" if the allegations are found to be true.

"Whilst we're not saying he's guilty of anything... these revelations are such there's a case he has to answer," Hearn told the BBC.

"There will be nothing, I repeat absolutely nothing, that will stop this matter being dealt with in the fastest possible time-table."

'Death knell'

Hearn said that there was no evidence of any irregular betting patterns in the World Championship.

But he vowed that "if there is a sickness in snooker, that is the death knell of snooker. If any sickness were found, it will be removed in a brutal manner".

Snooker legend Steve Davis described it as "the darkest day I've ever experienced".

"I think the integrity of the game has effectively evaporated overnight," Davis said.

In a statement, Higgins insisted his conscience was "100 per cent clear" and said he had been "very worried" about the discussion reported by the paper, which took place in Kiev, Ukraine.

World Championship Final

Latest result (best of 35): Robertson leads Dott 13-12.