Hearn glad ‘cloud of suspicion’ lifted

World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn said “a cloud of suspicion” had been lifted from Stephen Maguire and Jamie Burnett after prosecutors stated there was insufficient evidence to justify a criminal prosecution in relation to their 2008 UK Championship match.

Strathclyde Police launched an investigation into the match, which was played on December 15, 2008, after World Snooker were alerted by bookmakers to unusual betting patterns.

The police file was handed to the Procurator Fiscal at Hamilton, who after considering the evidence for over a year announced this week there was insufficient evidence to proceed.

Hearn was delighted that the police investigation was over.

“I’m very pleased that there is no evidence to support legal action against the two players,” he said.

“I’m somewhat surprised that this matter has been hanging around since December 2008 and obviously the cloud of suspicion has been cast over the two players concerned.

“It’s a shame it wasn’t resolved much more quickly and, presumably, at less cost to the public purse strings.

“I found it quite frustrating waiting and I’m sure both Burnett and Maguire will be relieved to have that cloud of suspicion removed from them.”

Large sums were staked on a 9-3 Maguire victory before the match in question, and that turned out to be the final result after Burnett missed a black in the 12th frame which would have cut the deficit to 8-4.