Michael White, a professional snooker player, has been removed from the sport’s world tour and world ranking list after being sentenced to three years in prison for assaulting his partner. The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) condemned White’s behaviour and took immediate action to remove him from the sport. The WPBSA called an emergency meeting following the sentencing, adding that White has the right to appeal the decision of the board within 21 days.
The WPBSA clarified that it was not a party to the court proceedings and therefore did not intervene during the criminal justice process. “Upon conclusion of the case, immediate action has been taken as outlined within our statement,” the association said. White, from Neath, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court on three charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He will no longer be a member of the association, and his removal will have “immediate effect” on his world ranking list and World Snooker Tour membership.
White, who was the youngest player to make a century break at the age of nine, won his first world ranking title in Mumbai in 2015. However, following his sentence, his world ranking dropped from 60. Judge Catherine Richards sentenced him to two consecutive sentences of 17 months and 19 months in prison on two counts of assault and ordered him to pay a £190 surcharge. A third assault charge was left to lie on the file, said the court.
The WPBSA is committed to upholding its values and principles and will not tolerate violent behaviour from its members. The removal of White from the sport serves as a message of support for victims of domestic abuse and strengthens the association’s commitment to a safe and inclusive sporting environment. The actions taken by the WPBSA demonstrate the serious consequences of violent behaviour, regardless of a person’s status or position. All members of the sport’s community have a responsibility to uphold ethical and moral standards, and those who fall short of these standards will suffer the consequences
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