Ali Carter's had a lot to say for himself in the run up to the Betfred.com World Championship.
And good for him. A year ago few journalists weren't interested in him.
All that changed with his excellent run to the Crucible final last year. He goes to Sheffield this season as a live contender for the title.
However, Ali was badly advised - assuming he was advised at all - with his comments over the current match fixing inquiry involving the Stephen Maguire v Jamie Burnett match at last December's UK Championship.
"Match-fixing is 100 per cent wrong and I don't hear of anything like that going on. The bookmakers want it all their own way, they want to win all the time," he told the Yorkshire Post.
"If they were creaming off millions of pounds, the bookmakers wouldn't be saying a word. But the fact a few quid has gone on and they have lost – wipe your mouth and get on with it like the punter has to when he has a bet and loses."
Is Ali seriously suggesting that if bookmakers suspect a major conspiracy to commit fraud - which is what it amounts to - then they should ignore it?
Nobody knows how the Maguire v Burnett inquiry will pan out. It may well be that there is no case to answer but, as the police are now involved, the players face jail if found guilty of any impropriety.
Carter has also written off Ronnie O'Sullivan's chances of even making the final.
I suspect he'll be hoping his prediction comes true: they've played 11 times and O'Sullivan leads him 11-0.
16 comments:
Good on you Ali, about time people spoke their mind. I'd like more players to do the same and not just keep churning out the same old things to keep the sponsors and world snooker sweet. If that's his opinion on the Maguire/Burnett thing then that's up to him, he isn't condoning match fixing.
what a clown!
Good, honest words from young, Ali.
Our sport is tarnished by the cloud that's match-fixing and the sooner these cheats and fraudsters are eradicated from the game, the healthier the sport will be.
Lifetime bans and recouping all prize-money won should be the minimum penalty.
I wonder how much it would take to help Gerrard Greene into round 2...
Happy Talk from our Captain Sensible.
It's obvious Carter does not know what he's talking about. Many of the attempted bets were declined by the bookmakers.
Further, the bookmakers are happy to take bets on correct score markets as their profit margin is huge. If they see unusually large bets all coming for one score and all from the Glasgow area...!!!!
Carter should stick to what he is best at - losing to Ronnie.
"Good, honest words from young, Ali.
Our sport is tarnished by the cloud that's match-fixing and the sooner these cheats and fraudsters are eradicated from the game, the healthier the sport will be."
This has got to be the most ridiculous thing I've ever read.
On the one hand, you're saying that you want match-fixing stamped out. On the other, you're saying the way to do that is to have a go at the bookies.
Interesting logic.
Yes I think Sergey missed the point completely. Ali's words although saying match fixing was wrong then went on to blame the bookies. If he thinks match fixing is wrong, he should then go on to say he wants the matter investigated fully. (both Maguire-Burnett and Wenbo-Ebdon)I hope all are found innocent, but there needs to be some statement from the WSA to say what is being done. I don't Ali is the smartest cookie - I remember him saying he didn't care he got beat when he lost in Bahrain - so clearly not giving 100% - as he was concentrating on the UK - which he didn't do so well in either!!
never mind whether or not all his comments are agreeable well done Ali for speaking his mind and getting some discussion going.
absolutely pathetic comments from Carter, what a fool, I'm sure he'll regret saying that in a few weeks time.
Carter has always seemed to me a very angry guy with a chip on his shoulder, this is why I have never warmed to him, but he has got a good quarter of the draw.
Carter has always been pleasant to me when i have spoke to me. He has battled illness and taken up piloting to fall back on that should snooker income not be his main income in years to come.
The guy is alright by my standards. I hope his illness stays "down" and he does well out of snooker and flying in the future.
Well, losing 11 times to the same guy without beating him once on the match table despite practice demolitions has to leave its marks, doesn't it? Especially given that one loss depended on one red. One single red in one decider.
About Carter's statement on Ronnie's chances, I believe that while it is a straightforward statement, it is also a not inspired one and it could backfire badly. I for one was remembered the way boxers talk before a very hyped-up match.
What a clown.
Well said Ali.
indeed, well said Ali.
speak up for the other 31 players
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