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Snooker Champion Graeme Dott Suspended Amidst Child Sex Offence Charges
Former snooker world champion, Graeme Dott, is facing severe allegations as he has been charged with child sex offences and subsequently suspended by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA). This action comes just days ahead of the highly anticipated World Snooker Championship qualifiers. The Scottish player, celebrated for his 2006 Crucible victory, was slated to compete in the qualifying rounds commencing this Friday.
Historical Sexual Abuse Allegations Surface Against Dott
Graeme Dott is accused of historical sexual abuse involving a young boy and girl. Legal documentation indicates that the alleged abuse of the girl, approximately 10 years old at the time, occurred in Glasgow between 1993 and 1996. Further allegations claim abuse against a boy, around seven years of age, took place in Lanarkshire between 2006 and 2010. Dott is scheduled to appear in court on June 11 to address these charges.
WPBSA Statement on Dott’s Suspension
The WPBSA released a statement on Wednesday afternoon confirming Graeme Dott’s suspension. The statement read: “Graeme Dott has been suspended by the WPBSA due to an ongoing legal matter scheduled at the High Court in Scotland. As court proceedings are underway, the WPBSA will refrain from making further comments at this time.” Dott retains the right to appeal this suspension.
Dott’s Absence from World Championship
The World Championship is scheduled to commence in Sheffield on April 19; however, Graeme Dott will not participate. This marks the first time since 1995 that the Scottish player will be absent from both the main draw and qualifiers of the prestigious tournament.
Graeme Dott’s Snooker Career Highlights
Turning professional in 1994, the Larkhall, Scotland native, entered the top 16 snooker players within seven years, achieving this milestone in 2001. Graeme Dott’s career highlights include:
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- World Championship Title: Victory against Peter Ebdon at the Crucible in 2006
- China Open Title: Triumph in 2007
Runner-Up Finishes and Ranking Peak
In addition to his World Championship win, Graeme Dott reached the final on two other occasions, finishing as runner-up in 2004 and 2010. The 47-year-old reached a career-high ranking of world number two in 2007 and was ranked 56th globally before his recent suspension.
Career Dip and Recent Performances
Graeme Dott’s performance declined in the late 2010s, coinciding with a period of depression following personal challenges. Since his runner-up finish at the 2010 World Championship, Dott has reached only three ranking title finals. In the current 2024/25 season, Dott has progressed beyond the first round of a ranking event on just two occasions – at the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters and the British Open.
Speculation on Career Transition
In the previous year, Graeme Dott hinted at a potential career shift towards eight-ball pool, a more financially rewarding circuit. He commented, “I’m not taking it too seriously currently, it’s a bit of leisure, but with improvement, it’s something I could certainly pursue more in the future. It’s something I will probably explore, but for now, I’m earning reasonable appearance fees, and I aim to perform well; additional prize money is a bonus. My focus is on performance, and increased participation may lead to greater competitiveness. If I couldn’t achieve a good standard, I wouldn’t participate; I am inherently competitive.”