Fallen Star Calls for Lifetime Bans: Mark King Slams Match-Fixers Despite Own Guilt
Suspended snooker professional Mark King has called for lifetime bans for anyone found guilty of match-fixing, despite currently serving a suspension himself. Speaking to BBC Essex, King said, “I don’t think anyone should come back—if you’re found guilty you should never be able to play again, and I stand by that.” The comment comes in the wake of his own conviction for match-fixing, following a lengthy investigation into suspicious betting activity surrounding his 4-0 loss to Joe Perry at the Welsh Open in February 2023. Perry has never been accused of any wrongdoing.
King, 51, was first suspended by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) in March 2023 and was officially found guilty of match-fixing in November 2024. Two independent tribunals chaired by King’s Counsel upheld the charges, citing compelling evidence of King’s involvement in manipulating match outcomes. As a result, King has been banned from professional snooker until March 2028 and ordered to pay over £113,000 in legal costs—an amount he says he is unable to afford.
Despite maintaining his innocence throughout the process, King lost an appeal in May 2024. The WPBSA, in a statement, emphasized the gravity of the offense, calling betting-related match-fixing the most serious breach of conduct in the sport.
The emotional toll on King has also been significant. He described feeling “hurt and angry” about the situation and revealed how hard life has become outside the snooker world. “I’m a 51-year-old man out of work. I tried a bit of labouring, but it was too much for me physically,” he said. Yet, amidst the controversy, King acknowledged the support he’s received from close friends in the sport, including three-time world champion Mark Williams, who called to check on him shortly after the suspension.
Looking ahead, King remains uncertain whether he will return to professional snooker once his suspension ends. “I honestly don’t know at this time,” he said. “I love the game and the lifestyle that comes with it, but this whole experience has left me questioning everything.”
