As reported by Dave Hendon over at Snooker Scene Blog, nine months on from the controversial match between Stephen Maguire and Jamie Burnett at the UK Championship, Strathclyde Police have detained two men, believed to be the players in question, in connection with the case. Both however have since been released without charge…
The police statement is as follows:
“Strathclyde Police economic crime unit can confirm that two males aged 28 and 33 have been detained and are assisting Strathclyde police with their enquiries into the alleged irregular betting patterns associated with the snooker match involving Stephen Maguire and Jamie Burnett at the Maplin UK Championship on 14th December 2008.”
“A report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal’s office when enquiries are complete.”
World Snooker have also released a statement which reads as follows:
“We are aware that Stephen Maguire and Jamie Burnett have been detained by Strathclyde Police. This is currently a Police matter and we are awaiting developments. There will be no further comment at this stage”
Stephen Maguire has released a statement over at 110sport.com:
“Stephen Maguire was questioned by officers of Strathclyde Police today over alleged irregular betting patterns relating to a match between Maguire and Jamie Burnett at the Maplin UK Championship on 14 December 2008.
Maguire’s legal representative Peter Forbes said; “Police spoke to Stephen, their questioning and points put to him based upon information given to them during their initial interview with my client in the spring of this year. Having answered those questions, Stephen was released without charge.”
Maguire, 28, added; “I have nothing to say other than I can be doing without this. I wish this was over and done with and that I didn’t have these allegations hanging over me so I could concentrate entirely on playing snooker.
“All I want to do now is forget today and concentrate on preparing for playing in China next week.”
There will be no further comment from Stephen Maguire or 110sport Group on this matter.”