Once again this week sport is taking the headlines because of alleged of corruption by bookmakers, agents and international cricketers. It was only 4 months ago that world number 1 John Higgins was under a similar spotlight due to stories and video footage presented by The News of the World. Next week John appears before an independent sporting tribunal to have his case heard, the outcome could have serious ramifications for both John Higgins and the future of snooker.

Barry Hearn hoped initially to have the case resolved in days or at most weeks, but the reality of the situation has meant that to bring the evidence together has taken much longer than his best intentions would have prefered.

What will the the aspects of the case that the tribunal will view?

1. Higgins unblemished professional record
2. His services and charity work undertaken
3. The video footage submitted by the News of the World and any collateral evidence.
4. The fact that Pat Mooney his agent at the time had been involved and arranged the rendezvous.
5. The verbal and non verbal evidence from the camera.
6. The evidence that no frames were actually fixed but only verbal assurances were given that it was easy to fix a frame.

John Higgins will have a lot to think about as well as his future as a snooker professional at stake next week.