Former snooker player Mark King, who was banned for five years in 2024 for his involvement in match-fixing, has spoken openly about his feelings and future in the sport.
King, 51, was initially suspended by the World Professional Snooker and Billiards Federation (WPBSA) in 2023 after suspicious betting patterns were reported in his 4-0 defeat to Joe Perry. Perry himself was not charged with any wrongdoing.
Despite repeatedly denying the allegations, King lost his appeal in May 2025, being ordered to pay over £113,000 in legal costs. According to BBC Sport reports, in 2024, an independent disciplinary panel found him guilty of one count of match-fixing and one count of passing inside information relating to a match.
Other allegations, such as that of a possible rigging against John Higgins in December 2022, were dismissed by the panel.
WPBSA chairman Jason Ferguson said at the time:
"I have known Mark from a young age. He is an experienced player and has had great success. I am deeply disappointed by this decision, but the integrity of the sport is always our number one priority."
"This case proves that we will leave no stone unturned to ensure that millions of snooker fans around the world can have complete confidence in this wonderful sport."
King will not be allowed to return to the sport until March 2028.
In a recent interview with BBC Sport, King spoke about life since the suspension decision and admitted that the situation has caused great distress in his family:
"The person who has been affected the most is my wife. She was forced to have a pacemaker fitted shortly after the investigation began. This story has affected her greatly."
He also admitted that he is facing great financial difficulties due to the costs this process has brought.
"Of course I don't have £113,000 in my pocket. I'm unemployed, I'm a 51-year-old man. I tried a job as a construction worker, but it was too hard for me."
When asked about the possibility of a return to snooker, King responded with reservations:
"I honestly don't know at the moment. I love this sport, I love that lifestyle and traveling around the world to play. But at the same time I still feel anger and pain about what happened." /GazetaExpress/
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