Taylor stunned by Higgins allegations

Audio

• Gary Moran speaks to Fergal O'Brien about match-fixing allegations that have led to the suspension of world number one John Higgins.

Former world champion Dennis Taylor has called on any player found guilty of match-fixing to be banned from the game for life.

John Higgins, the world number one, was yesterday suspended following allegations he agreed to throw frames for money.

Higgins and his manager Pat Mooney, who has resigned from the board of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, were filmed by the News of the World newspaper allegedly agreeing to accept £261,000 in return for fixing the outcome of four frames in matches to be played later this year.

World snooker chief Barry Hearn warned the Scot ‘his whole career is in doubt’ if he is found guilty of planning to manipulate results. The Scot vehemently denies the allegations.

‘Anybody involved in that, they've got to be thrown out of the game, because the game's integrity is at stake,’ Taylor, who won the world title in 1985, told Radio Five Live.

‘It's a big shock and there's quite a dark cloud over the crucible theatre today.’

Taylor added: ‘I've known John since he turned professional and in fact practised with him when he was a young lad.

‘It was a real shock because he's still the current world champion and world number one and I just couldn't believe it. So it remains to be seen about these allegations.

‘It's just a total shock. I couldn't believe that John Higgins could be involved in something like this, but it remains to be seen.’

Taylor does not believe Hearn will walk away from the sport over the scandal.

‘He's come back into snooker and he's here to take the game forward again,’ he said. ‘It would be quite easy for him to walk away but I don't think Barry will do that and he will sort this out as quickly as possible.

‘We've always been proud of our sport and hopefully Barry can sort things out as quickly as possible and the game can go forward.’