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Ssb - maguire v burnett: Police case dropped
The criminal investigation into the Stephen Maguire-Jamie Burnett match at the 2008 UK Championship, which attracted an unusually high volume of bets on the correct scoreline, has been dropped.
The Scottish Crown Counsel say there is insufficient evidence to justify a criminal prosecution.
However, the WPBSA has announced its disciplinary committee will review the case.
"We are treating this case very seriously. We will now be given access to the evidence connected with the case, and our disciplinary committee will review that evidence thoroughly," said Jason Ferguson, WPBSA chairman.
A significant number of bets were placed on Maguire to win the first round match at Telford 9-3.
Burnett had a chance to win the 12th frame but grossly over-cut the final black.
Shot analysis would have formed only a small part of the police investigation, although they did interview TV commentators for their views of the match and shots played.
The bulk of the police case would have been in linking either player to the bets placed, which they have clearly been unable to do to the satisfaction of the prosecuting authorities.
A WPBSA investigation would focus more on the shots played, although an analysis of any match would throw up some odd shot selections because that is the nature of the game, particularly when a player is under pressure.
However, it is right that this case is properly investigated by the governing body, although it goes against the WPBSA's earlier statement that its new disciplinary process would only investigate matches played since it was set up.
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The Scottish Crown Counsel say there is insufficient evidence to justify a criminal prosecution.
However, the WPBSA has announced its disciplinary committee will review the case.
"We are treating this case very seriously. We will now be given access to the evidence connected with the case, and our disciplinary committee will review that evidence thoroughly," said Jason Ferguson, WPBSA chairman.
A significant number of bets were placed on Maguire to win the first round match at Telford 9-3.
Burnett had a chance to win the 12th frame but grossly over-cut the final black.
Shot analysis would have formed only a small part of the police investigation, although they did interview TV commentators for their views of the match and shots played.
The bulk of the police case would have been in linking either player to the bets placed, which they have clearly been unable to do to the satisfaction of the prosecuting authorities.
A WPBSA investigation would focus more on the shots played, although an analysis of any match would throw up some odd shot selections because that is the nature of the game, particularly when a player is under pressure.
However, it is right that this case is properly investigated by the governing body, although it goes against the WPBSA's earlier statement that its new disciplinary process would only investigate matches played since it was set up.
More...
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