Snooker to probe new Hann claim

Sir Rodney Walker, the chairman of World Snooker, confirmed the body will now begin disciplinary procedures.

Walker said: "Quinten Hann will be written to and invited to comment on these allegations.

"In due course he will be invited to attend a meeting of World Snooker's disciplinary committee."

Walker added: "We work of the principle of English justice - a man is innocent until proven otherwise."

Hann today strenuously denied the allegations in The Sun newspaper that he agreed to throw a match for money.

The claims come the day after Hann was cleared of two counts of sexual assault.

The 27-year-old Australian said they are part of a "campaign" to discredit his character. The Sun alleged that Hann had agreed to accept £50,000 to lose a match at the China Open. It said he had made the deal with one of its undercover reporters, who was posing as a frontman for an illegal betting syndicate.

The newspaper also alleged that Hann had offered to fix the result of a match at the recent World Championships in Sheffield's Crucible arena.

But in a statement issued today, Hann said: "I categorically deny accusations made by the Sun newspaper.

"This is part of an ongoing campaign to discredit my character and I will not be responding directly to these false claims."

Hann was found not guilty at Isleworth Crown Court yesterday of groping and attacking a singer and an actress at his home.