Former champion Graeme Dott has been suspended just days before the World Snooker Championship due to an upcoming court case.
Dott won the Championship at the Crucible in 2006 but will not be at the tournament when it begins in Sheffield on April 19. Court papers have been filed in Scotland which concern the 47-year-old, who was due to feature in the qualifiers for the tournament on Friday.
A WPBSA statement read: “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.”
Dott lifted the famous trophy at the Crucible in 2006 when he beat Peter Ebdon 18-14 to claim the £200,000 top prize. He is also a two-time runner-up, having lost to Ronnie O’Sullivan in 2004 and Neil Robertson in 2010.
The Scot is currently ranked No.56 in the world, well below his career-high rank of No.2 back in 2008.
The World Championship runs from April 19 to May 5 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. Reigning world champion Kyren Wilson will be out to defend his crown when the action gets under way.
Dott hails from Larkhall in Scotland and turned professional in 1994, breaking into the top 16 in the world seven years later in 2001. Alongside his 2006 World Championship win, Dott boasts one other ranking title to his name, having triumphed at the 2007 China Open.
Back in 2021, Dott opened up on his struggles with depression and narcolepsy in an interview with BBC Sport. “I had dark thoughts,” he said. “Whether you would do it or not, but definitely, there’s no point lying about it.
“I had the thoughts. I thought about jacking snooker in as well, but what am I going to do? No qualifications, what job am I going to get?”
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