Maguire questioned over match-fixing

Snooker: Snooker player Stephen Maguire was interviewed by police officers today as part of an investigation into alleged match…

Snooker:Snooker player Stephen Maguire was interviewed by police officers today as part of an investigation into alleged match-fixing.

A statement released by the world number two’s management company confirmed the Scot met Strathclyde Police Fraud Squad - days before he opens his campaign at the World Snooker Championships against Jamie Burnett.

The investigation centres on Maguire’s match against Burnett at the UK Championship in Telford last December, which has been the subject of investigations by World Snooker and the Gambling Commission.

Maguire won it 9-3, after Burnett missed a black in the 12th frame which would have reduced his arrears to 8-4.

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World Snooker were contacted prior to the match by bookmakers who reported suspicious betting patterns on the outcome, with heavy gambling on the 9-3 scoreline.

Both players insisted they had nothing to hide and pledged to comply with any investigation.

A statement from Maguire’s representatives, 110sport, said: “The snooker professional met with police officers and answered a series of questions relating to their investigation into alleged match-fixing from a match at the UK Championship in December.

“At this time there will be no further comment and it would be appreciated if the press would respect Stephen’s wishes to focus on getting himself ready for his first-round match at this year’s Betfred.com World Championship.”

A Strathclyde Police spokeswoman said: “A 28-year-old man has been assisting police with inquiries. Our inquiries are continuing.”

Burnett’s miss on the frame-ball black was criticised by commentators on the match, however he denied again recently attempting to fix the result by missing the pot, which he overcut.

World Snooker’s investigation into the match is ongoing, and the Scottish pair have been drawn to meet in a best-of-19-frames match to be played tomorrow and Thursday this week.

In a statement released on Friday, 110sport had said: “It is regrettable this matter raises its ugly head on the eve of snooker’s biggest event, the World Championship in Sheffield.

“It is ludicrous to suggest that Stephen Maguire, the world number two, would in any way be involved in alleged unusual betting activity.”