Snooker Star Graeme Dott Suspended from World Championship Amid Sex Abuse Allegations
In a shocking turn of events, Scottish snooker player Graeme Dott has been suspended from the upcoming World Snooker Championship over allegations of sex abuse against children. The 47-year-old, who won the prestigious Crucible event in 2006, was kicked out of this year’s edition just days before it begins on April 18.
According to reports, Dott faces two historical charges of sex abuse against a boy and a girl, who were aged around 10 at the time of the alleged incidents. Prosecutors claim Dott attacked the girl between 1993 and 1996 in Glasgow, accusing him of ‘instructing her to remove her lower clothing’ and then ‘exposing his penis before assaulting the child’. The second charge relates to an alleged sexual assault on a boy between 2006 and 2010, when it is claimed Dott stripped naked and ‘entered’ a shower as the child was present.
The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) confirmed Dott’s suspension in a statement, saying: "Graeme Dott has been suspended by the WPBSA due to a case which is scheduled to be heard before the High Court in Scotland. Whilst court proceedings are ongoing, it would be inappropriate for the WPBSA to make any further comment." The organisation has not provided any further details on the allegations or the ongoing investigation.
Dott, who is currently ranked 56th in the world after 31 years as a professional, has had a distinguished career in snooker. Besides his victory in 2006, where he beat Peter Ebdon 18-14, he also finished runner-up to Ronnie O’Sullivan in 2004 and then again to Neil Robertson in 2010. His only other ranking title came at the China Open in 2007, beating Jamie Cope 9-5.
The Scot, who is a father of two, has been open about his struggles with depression, which began in 2007 after he reached No.2 in the world. He lost 15 consecutive matches and slid down the rankings after his wife, Elaine, suffered a number of health scares and a miscarriage. Despite these challenges, Dott has remained a well-known figure in the snooker world and a prominent Rangers fan, having paraded the World Championship trophy around Ibrox after his triumph in 2006.
In recent years, Dott has been playing lucrative eight-ball pool events in China. Speaking in 2004, he said: “Finding the hunger at this stage in my career is the hardest part. But I know that if I can produce my best form, I fancy my chances of winning another title. You need a bit of luck, of course, but you know it’s always going to get harder.” The World Snooker Championship gets underway next Friday at the Crucible in Sheffield, where Kyren Wilson will defend his title. Judd Trump and Mark Selby are among the favourites to win, while Ronnie O’Sullivan will look to make a bid for a record-breaking eighth world title.
The allegations against Dott have sent shockwaves through the snooker community, with many of his peers and fans left stunned by the news. As the investigation continues, Dott’s future in the sport remains uncertain. One thing is clear, however: his participation in this year’s World Snooker Championship will not be happening. According to TalkSport, Dott’s suspension comes as a result of allegations that have been scheduled to be heard before the High Court in Scotland. As this is a developing story, further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
