World Snooker Champion John Higgins Bribe Scandal

[drumdirt]

Lots of other people would do that I'm sure. But, if you're a world champion then you really, REALLY can't.

[account924]

how is he still allowed to play?

[Jairzinho121]

Higgins looks really worried about Russian gangsters lol!

[corkermeister]

What God is going to judge someone for rippping off bookies??!!! Admirable inho. The only people i feel sorry for are the peopple who may have betted on the same frames that would of been fixed.

[COLEEN322]

thieving greedy bastard,shuold of bin banned for life the rat.

[fullygrownshambles]

I don't want to believe that Higgins is guilty of match fixing. He's one of the greatest players in history and, I thought, an honest and decent man. I'm not going to say he's not those things based upon an edited piece of film, but in my view his explanation of being intimidated and saying the necessary is extremely questionable upon seeing this film. He looks perfectly comfortable, and plays a pro-active role in discussions: "I'm thinking... I have a property in Spain" etc. I fear the worst.

[SimpVeggie]

Obviously Guilty.

[paul4kd1]

wish the cunt would get shot

[jamesroffeycleaning]

Hazell Irvine said on air that he was "completely exonorated" this is a lie, Mr Barry Hearn and the cronies in the WPBSA should hang there heads in shame the sport i love now has a cheat as world champion, if its true that he was frightened then why when they returned to the UK did they not report this incident to the police, its a complete cover up, he is a disgrace and i applaude that snooker fan that had the balls to accuse him of cheating during the live match

[DLPBurke]

@jamesroffeycleaning See here >stupidityexpose.blogspot.com/­2011/01/john-higgins-agreed-to­-match-fix-but.html

[DLPBurke]

@DLPBurke Youtube may show dead link, go into the main blog area and look up the article.

[Mr2010Master]

I thought Higgins was afraid of talking with "the mafia". Why did he ask whether there are cameras? Why is he sitting so comfortably and looking so relaxed? This video shows very clealy how guilty he is but he has got away with it.

[imaginaruis]

Hahhahaha. This is very instructive. I particularly like it when Higgins starts thinking of a way how to obtain the money "legally" and starts playing with his limbs.

[Scouserrrr08]

I dont understand what is happening. I mean how exactly is he acquiring the money?

[glenclosed]

I heckled him at a match once!

He has a great talent, but fuck him, the greedy bastard.

[DisturbedV7]

this retard is guilty, i look into his fat piglike face and i know it.

[DXvsnWo1]

It kills me to watch this. I was a big John Higgins fan but I'm afraid there's no excuse, he's blatantly NOT just playing like he said he was, he's talking seriously about a match fixing.

[GreenApple968]

He should have been banned for life. I stopped watching snooker because of him and so too have many others.

[chriast]

Look at John Higgins, he is disgusting... No doubt this is not his first deal

[ACIDMetall]

@chriast Yes. He is like Putin!

[fensteroo7]

He deserves to be World champion because he is without doubt currently the best snooker player in the world, but that doesn't change the fact that he's still a little fat cheating bastard.

[DLPBurke]

@fensteroo7 he doesn't deserve to be world champ because he should be banned.

[1872Sweet]

What a greedy bastard!

[MrFlertus]

its easy criticising John from where you are, friends... but if you had the chance to make 300 000 euros easy peasy (and forget about the good sportsmanship will you?), would you do it? no? think again.

[smmplay03]

@MrFlertus It's not even the reason why he did it! The news of the world posing as innocent investors offered him out to kiev for a meeting then turning it into a proposition of match fixing, but the news of the world don't show that in the heavily eited video, you probably haven't realised that they employed a number of russian people to attend the mock-up meeting posing as the russian maffia...how does john get out of what he thinks is the maffia? just aggree and get out! deal with it after!

[GreenApple968]

@MrFlertus If I was a professional snooker player I wouldn't lose on purpose regardless of the amount of money. The game would be too important to me.

[stitcha123]

@GreenApple968 hmmmm naive.

[GreenApple968]

@stitcha123 Nope, nothing naive about it. I go by the rules and would never lose at something important to me regardless of the money involved. I'm an honest person, I don't do bribary.

[stitcha123]

@GreenApple968 ok mate.

[Rimzaka]

He was found not guilty of match fixing, but that doesn't mean he is innocent. If he had been a decent person, he would never have had this conversation. He would have got op and left when he found out what that person wanted to talk to him about.

[smmplay03]

@Rimzaka No your wrong, i was a 7ft bloke with a knife and a gun and i sat you down and said give me your phone youd do it. John thought it was the russian maffia so he agrred to everything and got out of there.

[FlaviusConstantius]

@smmplay03 If a 7ft Russian mafioso was pointing a gun at you would you be calmly sitting there with a big smirk on your face?

[smmplay03]

@FlaviusConstantius okay i worded it wrong, he thought they were the maffia. if i thought someone could be of trouble to me i wouldnt go crazy you gotta be smart, hence the befriending from john...

[geekos1]

@smmplay03

just face the facts, higgins did some shit for which he should've been banned for life, no excuses, no bullshit like you're spitting here



[shitmacher]

@geekos1 good comment , you know the score , unlike the rest of the sheeple..

[jcjon1888]

Very partisan issue. If you are Scottish you defend him, if you want truth and justice you don't.

[Dowlingaaron95]

Only John Higgins could have come back from this clear setup and win another World Championship and for those of you calling him guilty and a crook, may I remind you that he was found NOT guilty of match-fixing.

He deserved this World Championships, Well Done John!

[GLOKD]

So what - he was setup by a filthy tabloid rat. News of the World are the slimey cheats. I find it hilarious how all these ugly benefit claiming scum are getting on their high horses over throwing a few frames. He was putting himself at a disadvantage and making a bit of money. What kind of self-righteous council estate dwelling mongrel would hold anything against him for that? If you're upset- draft me up a nice long email, proof read it, print it off and fuck yourself with it you whiney bitch.

[Dodg3m]

Wanker

[reecelol12345]

john higgins is the best, what a legend

[lucylockette4]

John was in the wrong to agree but New of the World reporters are absolute scum.

[cirppledretardo]

he doesnt even need the money he loaded alread ffs.

[eamothegreat]

big deal if he were to throw a frame or 2.... wouldn't exactly call it the crime on the century..... loads of these comments put him in the same league as a war criminal .... how many of u would turn down 300k for missing a few balls ? very very few ...

[GLOKD]

@eamothegreat Spot on, sir.

[gunner373]

A sad day for honest sportsmen everywhere, his ban and fine were no where near enough punishment, now just 12 months after this he's 250k richer and everyone is fawning over him like he was the victim.

[qwerty123456789abcde]

Thats right John its a meaningless tourniment and the nice man is offering you 300k to lose a frame. Not crime of the millenium it didnt even take place so we will never know if he even ment this.

[dokalfar]

So we have a new winner now.

[R31entless]

Can't believe this cheat is still allowed to play snooker. Quinten Hann got banned for 8 years for match fixing! Why wasn't Higgins banned!

[Equilibr1st]

2011 World champion lol

[godlikeopinion]

Higgins is a disgrace. This won't be the first time he has done this - that is why the NOTW went for him. Let's support anyone but John!!!!!!!!!!!!

[BiGSiMy1]

How can you possibly get away with that.

[1984ioc]

@BiGSiMy1 he could have easily got away with it,if these were actually men who werent with NOTW and actual gangsters,are you telling me you could spot 4 frames out of 1000s that were fixed.all he has to do is miss 1 or 2 pots against top players and they will win the frame.Match fixing is epidemic in all sports across the world,as u now know with cricket..We only hear about the ones that get caught,I tell you now 99% dont get caught.....

[BiGSiMy1]

@1984ioc Thats not what i meant , i meant how is he still allowed to play

[ixICocoIxi]

Not looked into this much, so don't flame me for being ignorant or not knowing what I'm talking about etc., but is this not entrapment if they propose a deal to him with the sole intention of catching him out?

Or was it just one guy that thought it was wrong and decided to film?

[amoylan]

but of course the News of the World covers there own arses by blurring their faces and distorted their voices. fucking animals

[callumctc]

Fucking Twat, i mean wow to have the balls to keep playing, give snooker a fag.I'm sure it needs after being fucked by Higgins.

[AdiAkinbaiye]

I didn't no what to make of this "Bribe scandal", but after watching this it looks like Higgins is just greedy and would happily throw a few frames for money. What annoys me most is I would love to be as talented as John Higgins, he doesnt no how lucky he is, one of the all time great players imo. Also is 300,00 euros even that much to Higgins? Sounds stupid cos it is alot of money, but how much money does he get for making it to the latter stages of a major tournament? Cant be much difference?

[gunner373]

This cheating cunt is a disgrace to the sport, the fact the commentator are being so appologetic about the whole thing just makes it worse. If the NOTW hadn't come out with their findings he would've thrown those games that were agreed upon. Shameful.

[rompige]

He was never scared, if he was then he would of accepted the 200 to please the other people but still went for more money. However this is news of the world, can never be to careful. Disgrace if this is real, come on Trump.

[instrell999]

What an absolute disgrace this arsehole is still playing,he's on film agreeing to

throw frames for money ,how in HELL is he innocent,should have been banned for

life!!!

Where is Quinten Hann these days?

[myeire]

Fucking scum. Absolute fucking scum. He doesn't look scared. He looks smug and together. I hate this wanker so much. Jesus that clip has me fucking pissed off

[grayboro4life]

What a prick! Watching the final i hope judd wins never knew he did anything like this!!

[SelfImmolator]

His excuse is that he was going along with the conversation in fear of the people across the table. Does anyone know if he really has a property in Spain? I will believe his excuse if he was lying about having a property in Spain. You wouldn't tell people you're scared of about another place you live that they might not already know about.

[MrPiper415]

The News of World - widely recognised for their professional journalism, and accurate representations of findings. An independent tribunal found Higgins as innocent, therefore he's innocent. It's that simple.

[SquareRo0o0t]

@MrPiper415

2 scums don't make a right, no-one is saying NOTW is a reputable company....it's fucking disgusting.

But Higgins is a fucking disgrace and I cannot fathom people in the crowd cheering for him....or the commentators being on his side.

I can't believe what im hearing sometimes

[ravenblackeye00]

@MrPiper415 he was found innocent because the news of the world didnt give him the chance to 'match fix', they jumped the gun there by releasing the footage too soon!

[TeaKae421]

I disagree. We should expect people to be honest, we should expect people to play by the rules, we should also expect people to have enough moral integrity to simply say no. The only person to blame for this is John Higgins, his greed and his lack of ethics. Gambling exists whether legal or otherwise, do you somehow think it will disappear if criminalised? I'd rather it be legal and strongly regulated than illegal and totally in the hands of criminals who will prey on the weak even more.

[wellbourne1]

This should not surprise anyone. Thanks in no small part to New Labour we now live in a society that is dominated by gambling. Endless television programmes are sponsored by gambling companies with virtually every single sports event either being sponsored by them or being an advertising vehicle for them. Wherever there is gambling there is corruption -they are one and the same. Thus no one can expect those sportsman being so reliant upon the gambling lobby to play by the rules. Ban gambling now

[wellbourne1]

This should not surprise anyone. Thanks in no small part to New Labour we now live in a society that is dominated by gambling. Endless television programmes are sponsored by gambling companies with virtually every single sports event either being sponsored by them or being an advertising vehicle for them. Wherever there is gambling there is corruption -they are one and the same. Thus no one can expect those sportsman being so reliant upon the gambling lobby to play by the rules. Ban gambling!

[jdig1984]

i reckon this is only the tip of the ice berg there is alot of shennanaginns in snooker over the years very easy to fix yes in my opinion higgins guilty but if you look at it from a far who is the say that any other top pros didnt over half of them are big gamblers its the nature of the people they are hustlers. and old baz hearn is one of them thats why johnny wasnt banned hush hush

[argy5041]

Hope Trump sucks his eyes out tomorrow.

[sarbasov]

Shame on traitors. Higgins should not deal with such Judas.

[MrBlizZardWizZard]

shame on you john higgins!!

[futurism]

The fact he's still allowed to play snooker is a disgrace !

[mhbetts]

Apparently Higgins was found not guilty of any wrong doing... I wander how much that decision cost...!

[SoooBlue]

I think it's hilarious how the crowd always applaud him generously, are they oblivious to the goings on or are they simply idiots?

[tomreves28]

this is totally unacceptable that he was aquitted, because he is guilty

[smackOfatz]

Now imagine this Cheater wins the WC 2011... This shows that justice doesn't exist. Bad for the game, bad for the fans.

[xchampbearx]

Such an abuse of his talent. I bet it goes on all the time though.

[nasriozel]

Makes me sick to see him play on live tv! Should have been fined with all the money he's earned so far from the game and banned from playing it ever again...

[AcidJazzMinger]

This CHEAT has spoiled watching the game of snooker for me. He has some balls to play the "victim" role in this. The only reason he wasnt stripped of his titles and thrown out the game is because snooker is struggling as it is and taking a big name like this idiot out the sport would take more fans from the game. SHAME ON YOU JOHN HIGGINS.

[hearts76100]

Im a scot and i have to say that im astonished after watching this that he was'nt kicked out the game! Clearly up to no good. I cant understand why someone with his talent has to be doing this kind of thing.......

It can only be greed! Still think he will be world champion this year though!

[tjcj9097]

i would like to start a trend lets everyone keep reporting antifanboy1 so he gets removed he is so old ronnie this ronne that i mean do you even like the game? fuk off an grow the fuk up u keyboard warrior!

as for john really liked him but this is a disgrace and i mean really he should have been banned for life, even facing jail time, its fraud, match fixing its just terrible, ashamed of the wizard from wishaw :(

[GaffyTube]

@tjcj9097 im up for reporting antifan hes a complete cunt. as for higgins, hes also a cheating asshole and should of got time in prison, think about all the poeple who betted for him to win etc fuckin prick.. ronnie is the best

[bochum123123]

i always liked john. was always hoping, that he wins. but he should have been banned for ever after this incident... just imagine someone like... let´s say Mark King would have done that ! noone would ever had seen him in a world ranking tournement again.

[DLPBurke]

@AntiFanBoy1 Ronnie isn't a cheat like Higgins, and he isn't hate filled prick like you ;)

[DLPBurke]

Guilty as sin but got off with it because he is a big name. Sadly, some mindless fans actually defend him.

[DLPBurke]

@DLPBurke Look at how the useless crowds clap him and don't realise that he is a complete cheat. Makes me sick to see such sheep.

[beritta25]

No matter what they say

john higgins is the best!!

and we're all behind you!

well done fore tonight's match

[vilkwang]

And now this scumbag has won the UK Championship.

I've loved watching snooker over the years but this is it for me, I'm never watching it again whilst we have this crook paraded on our screens. Sickening.

[SteveoMagician]

@vilkwang I agree with you but sadly enough ill still be watching it coz i love the sport.. ill just not watch his games unless he playing ronnie.. but i dunno.. i dont bet so he never ripped me off just the other who put there hard earned cash on him.. plus his fans who trusted him now hate him also... hes one silly man!!

[spiderlegs11]

Like Mark Allen's comment when a phone went off and he said "it's not for you is it John"? Brilliant .

Come on Mark Williams tonight !

[JG20Productions]

@spiderlegs11 when was that??

[daveindublin1]

cheatin bastard i always thought he was full of integrity, and then to come out and say ive always been an ambassador for the game, im just watchin mark williams sail into a 6-2 lead in the final i really hope he wins it

[mrnewball]

What was the rational behind the 6 month ban ? A longer or life time ban would seem more appropriate ?

[spo0ny2k]

I swear higgins was betting in play on himself today, some very suspect misses

[beaviskeavis]

how did this cheat get away with this......hes back playing ,earning money on our tv screens today....makes me sick, greedy greedy man.....put me off watching professional snooker..thanks john,hope your enjoying your villa in spain...

[paul12345646]

@beaviskeavis makes me sick too - the cheating prick will probably go on to win it .

Higgins you're a bloody disgrace

[kenfig]

@beaviskeavis Yeah,there he was on tv yesterday,bold as brass as if nothing had happened ; couldnt believe the crowd were clapping and that there was no dissent

[Dimage25]

ahh screw the News of the World, what a bunch of dirty assholes, they completely destroyed his career, it's a shame that he was ready to agree on doing something like that, but the notw let him run into their trap and i'll hate them for that. John was a superb player and one, who's talent and style will be missed on the main tour, because i don't think that there's any opportunety that he can come back, his image is just completely shot!!!

[bogdychamp]

Fuck this dirty CHEAT.May he die in pain.

[keflar5]

Alex Higgins just came out and said he knows 5 pros or ex pros who took bribes, maybe they all do it and been doing it for the last 20 fucking years AMAZING