Mark King has revealed {that a} disciplinary listening to into his long-running ban from the World Snooker Tour has taken place.
The previous world quantity 11 was suspended in March of 2023, however there have been hardly any particulars launched in regards to the matter since then.
Followers have repeatedly, and understandably, been asking for updates on the scenario – particularly contemplating instances involving different current suspensions have been handled in a a lot faster style.
King took to social media on Sunday night time to lastly give individuals an perception into how the authorized matter is growing.
“Final week I used to be in London having my WPBSA disciplinary listening to after being suspended and spending 14 months in the dead of night,” Mark King wrote on Fb.
“OMG my authorized staff who represented me had been completely unbelievable in each means and had been additionally performing professional bono, which I can’t thank them sufficient for.”
“My solicitors Ben Rees and Mark Kenkre from Napier Sterling Legislation and my barrister David Baker from One Essex Courtroom.
“The others who had been on my facet, you already know who you might be – thanks a lot.
“Please don’t ask in regards to the case as I can’t discuss it till a choice is reached.”
There was no official announcement but from the World Skilled Billiards and Snooker Affiliation regarding a consequence from the listening to.
The final time the WPBSA formally referenced the matter was final 12 months when the preliminary assertion was issued.
“WPBSA Chairman Jason Ferguson has right this moment taken the choice to droop Mark King from attending or competing on the World Snooker Tour with quick impact,” the assertion learn in March, 2023.
“This follows an preliminary investigation of irregular betting patterns reported to the WPBSA on the match between Mark King and Joe Perry on the Welsh Open on 13th February 2023.”
“The suspension will stay in place till the conclusion of the investigation or any subsequent costs that will or will not be introduced. Mark King has the fitting to enchantment this determination.”
King, who not too long ago turned 50, had been knowledgeable on the principle tour since 1991, spending a number of seasons ranked as a member of the highest 16.
The Englishman’s biggest second got here in 2016, when he secured an emotional triumph on the Northern Eire Open in Belfast.
He additionally reached the finals of the 1997 Welsh Open and 2004 Irish Masters the place he was denied glory by Stephen Hendry and Peter Ebdon respectively.
King didn’t play a single match throughout the 2023/24 snooker season, and because of this his rating plummeted to 109 on this planet.
That formally confirmed his relegation from the principle tour, shedding his standing as knowledgeable for the primary time in additional than three a long time.
Across the identical time that King initially received suspended, there was a high-profile match-fixing scandal revolving round ten disgraced rivals from China.
Nevertheless, a choice was rapidly reached on that saga and robust bans had been administered in June of final 12 months.
Liang Wenbo, a former rating occasion winner, and Li Dangle had been each given unprecedented lifetime bans for his or her main roles within the match-fixing ring.
Prolonged bans had been additionally handed out to former Masters champion Yan Bingtao, who admitted to fixing matches, and Zhao Xintong, who had not too long ago reached as excessive as quantity six on this planet rankings.
It’s unclear whether or not or not King will face comparable sanctions, but it surely at the very least appears as if his destiny will likely be determined quickly.
Regardless of the final result from the disciplinary listening to, it’s simple that the method has taken too lengthy to get sorted.
Featured picture credit score: WST