Snooker news: Amateur suspended from all competition for 18 months for attempt match-fixing

Simon Blackwell has been banned from the sport for at least 18 months after being found guilty of attempting to fix the outcome of a tournament match.

The 29-year-old was competing as an amateur at the EPSB Open Series, where the top four finishers earn a spot at Q-school for the professional tour.

Blackwell was reported by another player for approaching them and offering a bribe of £200.

According to reports, it wasn't even to let him win the match, all he wanted was two frames that would guarantee him a spot in the top four.

It is now quite clear the approached player did not take the offer but reported the incident to the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association instead.

Blackwell was suspended on the spot, pending the outcome of a disciplinary hearing.

That hearing is where the 18-month sentence was set after he was found to be in breach of three separate WPBSA rules.

Namely, 2.1.2.1 to fix or contrive a match, 2.1.2.2 to seek, offer or accept a bribe, and 2.1.2.4 to solicit or encourage another player to break the rules.

The sentence prohibits Blackwell from playing or even being involved in any snooker events at any level for 18 months effective from his initial suspension on 14 April 2022 to 15 October 2023.

As the losing party of the hearing, he was also ordered to pay costs of around £1 500. The 29-year-old has until 27 May to appeal the ruling.

"Any attempt to manipulate the outcome of any snooker match at any level is wholly unacceptable and very damaging to the sport," EPSB chairman Nigel Mawer said.

"This applies equally to amateur players as well as professionals. The sentence in this case sends a very clear message that any such incidents will be dealt with severely."