Sutton “in breach” of WPBSA Rules

The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association yesterday released a statement confirming that amateur Irishman John Sutton has been found guilty of match-fixing.

Specifically, the Disciplinary Committee decided that Sutton was “in breach” of four WPBSA Members Rule after a hearing on the 24th March. Namely;

2.1.2 Corruption:

2.1.2.1 to fix or contrive, or to be a party to any effort to fix or contrive, the result, score, progress, conduct or any other aspect of the Tour and/or any Tournament or Match;

2.1.3 Misuse of inside information:

2.1.3.1 to use for betting purposes, or to provide to any other person for such purposes, any information relating to the Tour and/or any Tournament or Match that the ember possesses by virtue of his position within the sport and that is not in the public domain or readily accessible by the public;

The match in question took place at the International Championship qualifiers in Barnsley when Sutton was defeated 6-0 by Scotland’s Jamie Burnett.

There is no suggestion that Burnett, a player previously under suspicion on similar charges, had anything to do with the foul play.

Sutton isn’t a member of the WPBSA and does not hold a World Snooker tour card.

He gained an invitation to play in a number of events this season via his strong performances in 2014’s Q-School.

A further hearing will take place at a later date to decide Sutton’s sanction.