SNOOKER star John Higgins was yesterday banned from the sport for six months after a probe into allegations he threw frames in matches.
The ex-world champ was also fined £75,000 after admitting bringing the game into disrepute.
But the more serious charges of match-fixing were withdrawn by the sport's governing body.
Higgins, 35, said after yesterday's hearing the only thing he was guilty of was "naivety".
He added: "I had no intention to fix a match or do anything corrupt."
The star was suspended in May after being filmed by the News of the World allegedly accepting £261,000 to throw frames.
Higgins admitted breaching rules around betting and failing to report the matter promptly to governing body, World Snooker. He will play again in November.