Ssb - higgins may be out until february

[MySockPuppet]

This blog can reveal that John Higgins may not return to the circuit until next February despite his suspension ending in November.

It was widely assumed Higgins would be back for the UK Championship in December following the result of the tribunal convened as a result of a newspaper sting in which he was alleged to have agreed to lose frames for money.

The match fixing and bribery charges against Higgins were withdrawn and he was found guilty of failing to report an approach to match fix and bringing the game into disrepute.

He received a six month suspension, back dated to May since when he's been unable to play professionally, and was fined £75,000.

But Higgins has missed the closing date for entries for all tournaments until the Welsh Open in February.

The entry deadlines passed in July and the WPBSA will have to decide whether or not to grant him an exception.

He will be still be suspended when the entry dates close for the remaining Players Tour Championship events.

Higgins has already lost his no.1 spot in the world rankings and would be left with just the Welsh Open, China Open and World Championship to play in this season.

The suspension will have cost him the chance to play in four ranking tournaments, the Masters, the Premier League, 12 PTCs and the PTC grand finals, a total of 19 tournaments.

Some will argue that as his suspension ends in November Higgins should be allowed to play from that point.

Others will say he has already been treated leniently for what could have been a career ending offence.


More...

[Looki]

WPBSA: Do the right thing and grant him the exception! Otherwise the verdict in reality is harder than the one he was sentenced to.

[HunRon]

The rule is the rule without exceptions.

[The Statman]

One might argue that he should have made an application in time, so that if his suspension was cancelled or, as transpired, was to end before the tournament, he could play.

[hotpot]

One might argue that he should have made an application in time, so that if his suspension was cancelled or, as transpired, was to end before the tournament, he could play.

Cant see how he could of if he was suspended at the time .

[jrc750]

One might argue that he should have made an application in time, so that if his suspension was cancelled or, as transpired, was to end before the tournament, he could play.

maybe thats his manager's fault - if he has one

[Looki]

Cant see how he could of if he was suspended at the time .

I was wondering the same. What kind of application? Surely, he can't sign up for competitions if he's suspended. So is there a rule that a player should make an application within some defined period of time if he's suspended to be able to enter to tournaments right after the suspension is over?

[JPK123]

I'm sure if the WSA can grant him an exception, they will; they'll want him back as soon as possible now that he's been proved innocent of the main charge (the reason for the suspension in the first place that resulted in him not registering).

Although of course he was guilty of bringing the game into disrepute and given another suspension, so maybe they'll deem the backdated one fair and that any deadlines missed etc. remain missed.

Though Hearn will want such a big name back some players and fans might not think it fair, considering he was guilty on the one count. A decision has to be made one way or another!

[The Statman]

Yes indeed. It was a semi sarky comment and I don't know how any application made while suspended would have been handled.

It almost seems to harsh to not give him an exception to the dates, if the draws haven't been finalised (and, say, the 17th seed already elevated to 16th). But equally it seems a bit of a dangerous precedent to make an exception for a player who is sitting out a suspension duly given for a disciplinary reason.

It would be interesting to know if the 17th seed entered the qualifying rounds for the Masters, assuming that he would not be there by right.

[Snookster]

I don't think an exception should be made, in effect he will now receive the full 6 month competition ban if the WPBSA don't relent, (i would be suprised if they would, this would make them seem even softer) perhaps fate has leant a helping hand.
As i have said all along all i believe all John is guilty of is being naive (as many others have said) i personally felt a season long ban was more of a punishment.

[eWil]

I think he should (and will) be allowed to play at the UK Championships.

But... I don't understand why the closing date for The Masters entries has already passed in July.

I mean, the top 16 players will be invited based on their ranking after the first revision coming up in October so why having a deadline as early as July then?

[thinsy]

I think he may well have to sit out until he is able to register for the competitions...
Unfortunately he is suspended, therefore can't enter a competition whilst suspended!!!
Any relaxed attitude towards his entry will seem to be favoring bad behaviour.

I'm one of the people that believes he is a good 'muppet' but I still think rules are rules!!

[hegeland]

I hope he won't be playing until as late as possible. That is my own personal OPINION based on the fact I've read everything I could find about this and my conclusion is quite clear; IMHO Higgins got off the hook way too easily. Clever tactics of them to sacrifice Mooney though.

BUT I'm about 98% sure he'll play in the UK.

[wildJONESEYE]

WPBSA: Do the right thing and grant him the exception! Otherwise the verdict in reality is harder than the one he was sentenced to.

it has to be a player vote if rules are relaxed how fair would that be on them for someone in a office to decide to change rules.

if the majority said ok let John play then let him play in the UK if the majority sais no then thats that

[Erwan_BZH]

Someone must explain me how John would have been able to apply while being under a suspension! Now he's been cleared of the major charges, he should be allowed to go back in the next tournament. The WPBSA prevented him to register, not John's fault.