Ssb - john higgins returns

[Case454]

That’s fantasy. Higgins never said he was scared of his own manager. What he said was that he “found the atmosphere in the meeting somewhat intimidating”.

The Scot looks a lot of things on that meeting but one thing he doesn’t look is scared, besides, no sign of intimidating actions has been found by the investigation.

The tribunal didn’t buy the intimidation argument or Higgins wouldn’t have been found guilty of intentionally giving the impression to others that they were agreeing to throw frames for money, the same way people are not found guilty when they commit crimes in self-defense.

What set Higgins apart from his managed was that no evidence was found that Higgins had prior knowledge, but also nothing has been found to indicate he wouldn’t go ahead with it.

If the bribe scam was genuine, by the end of the season Higgins would have stolen €300.000 from the gambling industry.

The QC said he believed John wouldn't go ahead with it and that John's account was ture. Remember there was email and phone evidence provided.

[hotpot]

The independent body that investitagted this incident looked at a lot more evidence and facts than any of us has ever seen or heard .

If there was any factual evidence of match fixing then they would have slung the book at John , There was,nt , end of .

I just cant understand the knockers who are not prepared to understand or accept this , saying that , thats what makes the forum so interesting and enjoyable .

[circle]

hmmm

There has been that many players involved in match fixing rumours that we could have a tournament just for them

But I wont be taking bets!

[Iszkiri]

there has been that many players involved in match fixing rumours that we could have a tournament just for them

but i wont be taking bets!

:d:d:d:d:d:d:d:d

[Mignon]

What I would have expected from a world number one and a genuine ambassador of the game then, would have been to walk instantly out of the room as the talk about match fixing begun.

I have to agree.
Terribly, terribly disappointing....
Warm welcome in Hamm.
Well, a little warmer and it would have lacked decency. Glad there haven't been red carpets, flowers and standing ovations to show solidarity.... with whom?.... For what?....
Sad situation but we have to accept the verdict and try to forget and move on.
Those of us who can.

There has been that many players involved in match fixing rumours that we could have a tournament just for them

But I wont be taking bets!

[Erwan_BZH]

Please, please, please......

Let's not start the 13245678565222th topic about that incident. He's back, period.

I, for sure, am delighted he's back and all I want is to see him answer the critics ON THE GREEN BAIZE. And I'm sure he will.

Welcome back John, and best of luck! :snooker:

[Mignon]

Please, please, please......

Let's not start the 13245678565222th topic about that incident.

Well, nobody's THAT popular!

I, for sure, am delighted he's back and all I want is to see him answer the critics ON THE GREEN BAIZE. And I'm sure he will.

It's not ON THE GREEN BAIZE that he shows.... naïveté and receives criticism

Welcome back John, and best of luck!

I agree that snooker is richer with him on the tour but I don't think that welcoming him back should look in any way like "congratulations".
(Not that you implied that, Erwan. ) Forgetting and moving on may take some time....

[Erwan_BZH]

Oh no, I don't say it to 'congratulate' him, just to it's good to see him back.

And yes, his showed his naivety OFF the green baize but you know as well as me that he'll be waited around the corner by his detractors....on any pitch.

[Monsoon]

I’m sorry sh1234, but I don’t understand your question.

The main thing here is not if people think he is guilty or not. The most important thing is the TRIBUNAL found him GUILTY!

We saw him on video agreeing to throw frames for money and that’s exactly what he was found guilty of. The heavy-editing of the video argument was BS as was the intimidation excuse. They just couldn’t nail him with actually bribery charges because, since the scam was not for real, no frame was actually thrown and no money exchanged hands.

Now that Higgins is back to winning, in some people's minds, somehow it proves he wasn't guilty. Go figure.

All the dirt is now going to be swept under the carpet as if it never happened, and whether people like the punishment he got or not, he is now untouchable.

Wrong Wrong Wrong........found guilty of bringing game in to disrepute only. As others have said there were email etc that we do not have the benefit of. Independent tribunal had all the facts and made a decision based on this......accept it and move on please.

[Mignon]

Oh no, I don't say it to 'congratulate' him, just to it's good to see him back.

And yes, his showed his naivety OFF the green baize but you know as well as me that he'll be waited around the corner by his detractors....on any pitch.

Critics are not necessarily detractors and the man has to face the music and learn the sad lesson. Wouldn't it have been just great if the whole situation hadn't existed? Unfortunately, this is not the case.
As I said, moving on may take some time....

[Migtsf]

Wrong Wrong Wrong........found guilty of bringing game in to disrepute only. As others have said there were email etc that we do not have the benefit of. Independent tribunal had all the facts and made a decision based on this......accept it and move on please.

Perhaps, you all dirt sweepers and history re-writers should read this:

http://www.thesnookerforum.com/board...=betting+rules

It says there that Higgins admitted to intentionally giving the impression to others that he was going to throw away frames for money.

The only reason why the tribunal didn’t make much of it was because there was no actual crime. The scam was not real, therefore no frames were fixed and no money exchanged hands.

Anyway, to the public in general, what matter is it was clear that had Higgins been given a genuine offer to fix results of snooker matches he would start a parallel career in the criminal world.

[darrus]

I have to agree.
Terribly, terribly disappointing....
Warm welcome in Hamm.
Well, a little warmer and it would have lacked decency. Glad there haven't been red carpets, flowers and standing ovations to show solidarity.... with whom?.... For what?....

Having two of five WPBSA directors flown to Hamm to greet and welcome John Higgins is red carpet and fanfare enough. I doubt any of the players have ever been aforded such a welcome.

It just shows how important is John Higgins for current administration. Judging by this weekend, he is clearly declared an appropriate role model, an example for every player to follow, and let's not forget that he's supposed to be teaching the young players how to behave. He is supposed to be the image of snooker and a flagbearer. New times, new values etc.

For myself, I am glad that both Hendry and Davis decided not to participate in all this.

[Mignon]

Apparently, Jason Ferguson and David Douglas were there for the WPBSA meeting where they were supposed to outline the governing body’s zero-tolerance crackdown on corruption and to brief the players on the newly-set hotline.
Actually, I tend to believe that seeing Douglas and attending the meeting wasn't something Higgins would call 'pleasant' at the moment.

> http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/oth...orruption.html

[darrus]

Apparently, Jason Ferguson and David Douglas were there for the WPBSA meeting where they were supposed to outline the governing body’s zero-tolerance crackdown on corruption and to brief the players on the newly-set hotline.
Actually, I tend to believe that seeing Douglas and attending the meeting wasn't something Higgins would call 'pleasant' at the moment.

> http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/oth...orruption.html

Oh yes, the launch of the third anti-corruption structure in snooker in three months. So expertly timed to remind everyone who forgot or doubted that WPBSA is fighting the match-fixing with all their might. I'll wait till I see the results - any results - before I buy the hype.
And anyway, the point is, they were attending Higgins match. And it shows a lot, two of five board members, including the head of WPBSA, fly overseas to watch a player in his first-round match.

And don't you find it strange that it is Douglas who comes out with this babble about "John said he regrets bringing the name of snooker down" etc while Higgins himself never publicly stated anything of the sort?

I understand and respect it that they're doing what they think needs to be done. They see the need clear Higgins, build him up again him and present him as a face of modern snooker.
But a bit more subtlety would be better. Just my opinion.

[gazza147]

Dont Worry too Much he May be Out of the Tourny Soon!

Hes 2-0 Down to TOM FORD.