Snooker player Michael White has been given a three-year prison sentence for domestic violence, it has been officially announced.
Rumours began to circulate on social media on Thursday with the name Michael White appearing as an ongoing case at Swansea Crown Court.
The former top 16 player’s profile page on the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association website had also been swiftly removed.
On Friday morning, the WPBSA has duly released its official statement concerning the serious matter.
“On 11th July 2024, Michael White was sentenced to 36 months imprisonment for assault occasioning Actual Bodily Harm on his then partner,” the statement read.
“The WPBSA does not tolerate such behaviour by a Member and has taken immediate action to remove Michael White as a Member of the WPBSA.”
“The WPBSA had been monitoring the case and upon his sentence convened an emergency board meeting.
“A resolution was passed to cease Michael White’s Membership of the WPBSA with immediate effect.
“Therefore, Michael White will now be removed from the world ranking list and World Snooker Tour.
“Michael White has the right to appeal the decision of the Board within 21 days of the decision.”
It was reported by South Wales Police that White was convicted on charges of multiple domestic violence offences that took place over a period of more than a year, leaving his victim with injuries.
Welshman Michael White first turned professional in 2007 and as a teenage prodigy was widely regarded as a star of the future.
By that point, he had already won several prestigious amateur tournaments – including the IBSF World Grand Prix in 2006 and the European Under-19 Championship a year later.
White’s progression on the main tour was slower than expected, but he rose to prominence in the mid-2010s and reached as high as no.15 in the world rankings.
In 2015, White beat Ricky Walden 5-0 to capture his maiden ranking title with success in the Indian Open.
He triumphed at the Paul Hunter Classic two years later and was also a winner of the Snooker Shoot Out when it was previously staged as an invitational tournament.
In 2020, White was relegated from the World Snooker Tour after a disappointing run of form, citing battles with alcohol and depression as reasons for his demise.
He subsequently bounced back to regain his professional status in 2022 and returned to the world’s top 64 in the rankings.
However, it now appears that a snooker career that promised so much will be ending in disgrace.
WPBSA Articles of Association extract
24.2 Provided always that the power is exercised bona fide for the benefit of the WPBSA as a whole and shall be capable of application without discrimination to all Members, it shall be lawful for the Board to pass a resolution at a meeting thereof (of which due notice including notice of the intention to propose such resolution shall have been given) that any Member shall cease to be a Member and if such resolution is passed by not less than two-thirds of the Directors present and voting, then such resolution shall take effect as from the conclusion of such meeting or from such later date as such resolution may prescribe for the purpose and the company secretary shall send notice to the Member so expelled immediately following conclusion of that meeting informing the relevant Member of the resolution of the Board.
24.3 Any Member expelled in accordance with the provisions of Article 24.2 may give a notice of appeal to the company secretary within 21 days of the passing of such resolution whereupon the company secretary shall, as soon as reasonably practicable, convene a general meeting at which the expelled Member’s appeal shall be considered and such expulsion shall be upheld only if approved by a Special Resolution of the Voting Members. Such expelled Member shall be entitled to attend and speak at the general meeting but shall not be entitled to vote. Save as aforesaid the expelled Member shall have no rights as a Member from the date on which the resolution under Article 24.2 takes effect unless his appeal is successful at a general meeting, in which case his rights as a Member will resume from the conclusion of such meeting.
24.5 Immediately upon cessation of membership of the WPBSA in accordance with this Article 24, such Member shall no longer be entitled to the privileges and benefits of membership of the WPBSA.”
Featured photo credit: WST
They’ve probably found it easier to remove him as, unlike fellow abuser Liang Wenbo, he’s been given a custodial sentence.
o, what shamefull behaviour. there goes my favourite player.
Thankfully the WPBSA have learned their lesson from their pitiful responses to past cases of this nature. Animals like this should be shot, thrown in a ditch and forgotten for eternity. Forgive my harshness but as a survivor of domestic abuse I have a particularly strong view.
Don’t these guys in sport that they are lucky enough to be special at not realise how damaging to their careers this sort of behaviour is!.Having a hot temper and losing it beating your GF is just so mindless.She will be well rid of him unless she goes back to him which some do unfortunately,