O’Sullivan backtracks following controversial match-fixing comments
>> LONDON: World champion Ronnie O’Sullivan has ‘‘clarified’’ comments he made that matchfixing could be widespread in snooker.
O’Sullivan took to Twitter after former world No.5 Stephen Lee was last week found guilty of fixing matches in 2008 and 2009. Lee could be handed a lifetime ban at a hearing this week.
O’Sullivan told his Twitter followers on Tuesday: ‘‘I’ve heard there’s many more players who throw snooker matches .. I suppose Steve lee was just caught out.’’
He added that ‘‘plenty of people have got loads to hide’’.
However, World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn warned O’Sullivan he must not make ‘‘vague announcements’’ and said he risked disciplinary action.
But, in a World Snooker statement released on Thursday, the 37-year-old O’Sullivan insisted he had no specific evidence of any wrongdoing.
‘‘I would like to clarify the comments that I made on Twitter 17th September as they were an instant reaction to an issue which I feel strongly about, namely the integrity of my sport,’’ O’Sullivan said.
‘‘My reference to players throwing matches was out of context in that I was referring back to rumours from many years ago when there were only a few tournaments on the circuit.
‘‘If I were aware of matchfixing, I understand that it would be up to me to report any fears to the association. I have no intention of undermining the integrity of the sport.’’