Hearn promises ‘zero tolerance’ approach

Barry Hearn claimed snooker would lead the way in tackling corruption in sport as he promised a “zero tolerance” approach at the launch of a new integrity unit.

The World Snooker chairman has proposed instant lifetime bans for anyone in the game caught breaching his new rule of “no betting on anything”.

Hearn has enlisted the help of former Metropolitan Police commissioner Lord Stevens, now chairman of Quest, industry leaders in tackling corruption in sport.

Stevens will co-operate with former force colleague David Douglas, who was brought in to lead the governing body’s disciplinary committee in April after allegations were made against world number one John Higgins.

Higgins, who is still serving a six-month suspension for breaching betting rules, will also be involved in the new measures after volunteering to educate young players on the dangers he found himself embroiled in.

Hearn believes he now has the perfect mix of experience to improve intelligence surrounding potential betting scams, to lead investigations into any cases and to prevent players from succumbing to temptation.

Hearn will also introduce the same system for darts and he feels other sports will follow suit.

“It’s time now for all sport to take a grip on itself,” Hearn said.

“We live in a world of temptation, we live in a world that requires education of the pitfalls of trusting other people, by being gullible or naive.

“We need to make sure we have systems in place to help these people. We want to guarantee we will never have a problem.

“From World Snooker and the Professional Darts Corporation, I promise anyone that watches or is involved that it will be cleaner than clean and that anyone who breaches these rules, the punishment will be Draconian.”

Higgins was cleared of frame-fixing allegations but, at a two-day tribunal earlier this month, admitted intentionally giving the impression to undercover reporters that he would throw frames for financial gain.

Ian Mill QC accepted the former world champion’s insistence that he did so only under intimidation, but the case cast a shadow over snooker just as Hearn’s arrival was meant to spark a revival.

The controversy came after Stephen Lee, Stephen Maguire and Jamie Burnett had been questioned by police over suspicious betting patterns, although none were charged.

But Hearn is determined to ensure there is no problem with the game under his regime.

“Someone once said that everyone has a price,” Hearn added.

“What we have to say is that temptation is out there but you’ve got the world’s best known policeman on your back.

“My job is to make sure the players have lots of opportunities. There were six snooker events in the year. There were three months with nothing happening.

“Things like that are not good for temptation. What we’ve done is create 15 more events and sponsors are still coming in, TV companies are still coming in.

“They trust us and I feel obliged to make this clean.”

Higgins yesterday released a statement which read: “I welcome the opportunity to work with and promote the aims of the Integrity Unit overseen by Lord Stevens.

“Throughout my snooker career I have always found time to help and advise young players when they approached me for advice.

“In the months to come I will work with David Douglas and his team to ensure young players coming into the game are given all the assistance and guidance possible to progress in the world of snooker.”