O'Sullivan will not be tempted

Ronnie O'Sullivan
12 April 2012

Three-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan believes snooker players are regularly offered cash to throw frames.

The snooker world was plunged into chaos this summer when the News of the World alleged that former world champion John Higgins accepted £261,000 in return for arranging the outcome of four frames in matches to be played later in the year. An investigation cleared Higgins of accepting any bribes but he was banned for six months and fined £75,000 after admitting breaching rules around betting.

"I haven't been offered one (a bribe) but it does go on," O'Sullivan claimed to Press Association Sport. "It's not just in snooker, it goes on in all forms of life. MPs are all taking backhanders left, right and centre. That's the way the world is sometimes. A lot of people try to influence their way with money. It is not just snooker, it is life in general. They're just trying to exploit whatever they can."

He added: "I wouldn't do it. It's too dangerous. It is the kind of thing I wouldn't even entertain because I enjoy playing the game. I love competing."

Higgins, who has always maintained his innocence, made a successful return to the table two weeks ago when he won the European Players Tour Championship tournament in Hamm, Germany, on his first appearance since the ban was lifted.

The Scot, who won the World Championship in 1998, 2007 and 2009, was given a warm welcome back by his fellow players.

Former world champion Shaun Murphy warned last month that it would take some time for Higgins to regain the kind of support the public showed him prior to the allegations.

O'Sullivan, however, thinks everyone involved in the sport should back the 35-year-old and is convinced that he is clean.

"I have known John since he was a kid and I know he wants to win," said O'Sullivan at the launch of the new Bettor bookmakers in central London. "I know his heart is in snooker. I have seen him after losing a match and he looked as if it was the end of the world so I know that he loves it and really wants to do well.

"He has done his time and I'm sure he won't put himself in the same position again. We all make mistakes. You live and learn by them. Obviously there will be some people who think he should have got longer but they're only thinking that because they don't want to play him because he's such a good player."

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