Higgins cleared of match-fixing

The 35-year-old Scot received a six-month suspension from snooker and a £75,000 fine after admitting two of the lesser charges levelled against him during the two-day hearing in London.

But the more serious charges of match-fixing were withdrawn.

The former world champion was suspended in May pending an investigation into allegations of frame-throwing which were made by the News of the World.

He admitted "intentionally giving the impression to others that they were agreeing to act in breach of the betting rules" and failing to report the matter promptly to governing body World Snooker.

But the charges of "agreeing or offering" to accept bribes and "agreeing to engage in corrupt or fraudulent conduct" were dropped.

Higgins and his manager Pat Mooney, who resigned from the board of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, were filmed by the News of the World allegedly agreeing to accept £261,000 in return for fixing the outcome of four frames in matches to be played later this year.

Like Higgins, charges 1 and 2 against Mooney were withdrawn, while he admitted charges 3 and 4.

Higgins always denied any wrongdoing and insisted he would fight to clear his name.

The world governing body agreed yesterday that he "would never throw, and had no intention at that meeting of throwing, any frame of snooker for reward."

In his summary Mr Ian Mill QC said: "The association has explained that this withdrawal resulted from an acceptance, following an investigation which all concerned have correctly characterised as very thorough and fair, that Mr Higgins had truthfully accounted for his words and actions at the meeting in Kiev on April 30, selected extracts from which subsequently were widely publicised.

"In short, his account (which has remained consistent throughout) was as follows.

"Mr Higgins found himself in that meeting having only just beforehand been warned by Mr Mooney that there was a possibility (nothing more) that the subject of throwing frames might arise as part of the overall business discussions that were about to commence.

"Without any opportunity for mature reflection Mr Higgins, who is by nature someone who seeks to avoid confrontation or unpleasantness, decided to play along with the discussion when the topic did indeed arise.

"He also found the atmosphere in the meeting somewhat intimidating. His focus was entirely on bringing the meeting to an end as soon as possible and getting on a plane home."

Higgins was suspended by the association on May 2 and will be banned until midnight on November 1.

He also has been ordered to pay a contribution to the costs of the hearing.

The summary of the decision laid the blame for the predicament the Scot found himself in squarely at Mooney's door, claiming he had put Higgins in "a highly invidious position."

Explaining the reason for the withdrawal of the more serious charges against Mooney, it read: "The association's explanation for these withdrawals was very different.

"The association maintained that Mr Mooney had in fact intended to act fraudulently and corruptly as alleged.

"However, a last-minute argument advanced on behalf of Mr Mooney by Mr Phillips QC, based on a proper construction of the rules to which charges 1 and 2 refer, had persuaded the association that it did not have sufficient prospects of proving those charges."