Snooker star handed five-year ban and huge fine for match fixing as official statement released

A former Northern Ireland Open champion has been banned from snooker for five years and given a fine of nearly £70,000 for match fixing offences.

Mark King, 51, was suspended by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) soon after the alleged fix in February 2023.

He was found guilty late last year and hit with the ban. King's appeal has been rejected and he will now be out of the sport for five years.

King's ban relates to a match against Joe Perry at the Welsh Open.

After suspicious betting patterns were identified, King was found to have fixed the outcome of that match and a previous match against John Higgins.

Higgins himself has been subject to match fixing allegations, falling foul of a sting operation by the News of the World newspaper in 2010 but was never actually involved in fixing a match.

The WPBSA issued a statement after King's appeal was rejected by an Independent Appeals Committee:

"On 7th November 2024 the Independent Disciplinary Committee delivered its final decision in the case of the WPBSA and Mark King.

"He was found guilty of one count of match fixing and one count of providing inside information on his match played against Joe Perry on 13th February 2023. He was suspended from the sport for five years and ordered to pay £68,299.50 in costs.

"Mark King appealed the decision of the Independent Disciplinary Committee and on 8th April 2025 his appeal was heard by an Independent Appeals Committee Chaired by Philip Evans KC.

"On 13th May 2025 the Independent Appeals Committee issued its decision on the Appeal. Mr King’s Appeal has been refused and the findings against Mr King regarding his match with Joe Perry and in relation to the sanction that was imposed at the original Hearing will stand."

New snooker world champion Zhao Xintong has served a match fixing ban (Image: Getty)

King told Cue Sport Hub that he is a gambling addict, an affliction he believes has been to the significant detriment of his snooker career, and used to play cards with a 10-year-old Ronnie O'Sullivan.

"I played John Higgins in the semi-finals of the 1998 Welsh Open. I lost 6-5," he recalled.

"I was in the betting shop all day until 6pm. The first dog race was at 11am and I think I did about a grand. I was not in the best frame of mind.

"I should have been resting, sleeping, and getting ready for a massive game. I was only 24."

King has been attending Gamblers Anonymous meetings since 1997 and has not placed a bet for 13 years.

World Snooker Championship winner Zhao Xintong has also served a ban, while the ranks of suspended players also includes Stephen Lee, who was banned for 12 years.