In a surprising move, the Russian mafia have publicly denied any dealings with snooker star John Higgins.
The announcement made by the organisation's spokesman Yuri "The Butcher" Lamentkanov, follows recent allegations that Higgins had agreed to throw frames of a match in return for money.
"We have never nor will ever have any interest in the game of Snooker. It is dull and boring and my comrades and I are appalled by the suggestion that we would be involved with such a Westerner."
It is the first time that the "Bratva" have made such a public declaration of what they are or aren't involved in and is believed to be motivated by recent accusations by the Triads that the Russian organisation had become weak.
Lamentkanov also revealed that the head of legal activity for the group, Viktor "The Axe" Mikhailov was considering legal proceedings for libel.
