Snooker match involving Irish player investigated after irregular betting

The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) has launched an investigation into irregular betting patterns in an International Championship qualifying match involving Irish amateur player John Sutton.

A statement released today read: "On Wednesday, the WPBSA Integrity Unit received an early warning notification from partners in the betting industry of unusual betting on the match between Jamie Burnett and John Sutton at the International Championships Qualifiers in Barnsley.

“The match took place last night (Wednesday), resulting in a 6-0 win for Jamie Burnett.

"The WPBSA Integrity Unit undertook specific measures both to monitor the match live and to examine the circumstances surrounding the match and player. Together with the Sports Betting Intelligence Unit at the Gambling Commission we are analysing the available information on this match to determine what action is appropriate.

“With their partners the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS), the WPBSA Integrity Unit have information sharing agreements with the betting industry and closely monitor worldwide betting on all competitive snooker.

"The WPBSA Integrity Unit operates with complete autonomy from the WPBSA Board and World Snooker Limited. The Unit is always made aware of any unusual betting on snooker matches and will take appropriate action in every case."

Burnett’s win saw him book his place at next month’s €767,000 (£600,000) International Championship event in Chengdu.

Last year Stephen Lee was banned from snooker for 12 years and ordered to pay a total of €160,000 (£125,000) in costs for fixing the outcome of seven matches in 2008 and 2009.