England's Mark King has been suspended pending an investigation into irregular betting patterns on his Welsh Open match against compatriot Joe Perry ©Getty Images

English player Mark King has been suspended from the World Snooker Tour (WST) pending an investigation into irregular betting patterns during a match at last month's Welsh Open.

King lost 4-0 to compatriot Joe Perry at the tournament in Llandudno on February 13.

World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) chairman Jason Ferguson announced that King had been suspended from attending or competing on the WST following "an initial investigation of irregular betting patterns reported to the WPBSA" on the match against Perry.

The suspension is set to remain in place "until the conclusion of the investigation or any subsequent charges that may or may not be brought", the WPBSA said.

King has the right to appeal the decision.

The 48-year-old turned professional in 1991, and is ranked 57th on the WST.

His sole ranking title came at the Northern Ireland Open in 2016, and he has reached the World Championship last 16 on seven occasions, most recently in 2013.

Perry is not under investigation, and expressed his shock at King's suspension.

Ten Chinese players including former Masters champion Yan Bingtao were charged with match-fixing offences by the WPBSA earlier this year ©Getty Images
Ten Chinese players including former Masters champion Yan Bingtao were charged with match-fixing offences by the WPBSA earlier this year ©Getty Images

"I’ve not heard anything about it, I’ve had no input whatsoever up to this point," Perry told British newspaper the Metro.

"We’re both getting on and both capable of playing some good stuff and some awful stuff, I just thought he had not such a good day at the office.

"That’s how I saw it, no more, no less.

"I’m shocked to be honest, really shocked.

"It’s well-documented he had a gambling addiction years ago and he’s done so well to stay away from that, I know he’s worked hard to stay away from that.

"I hope it comes to nothing, I hope it’s just a coincidence and it comes to nothing.

"I’d hate to see any truth in it."

Snooker has recently been hit by one of the biggest scandals in its history, with 10 Chinese players charged in January with match-fixing offences by the WPBSA.

An Independent Disciplinary Tribunal is due to begin its hearing on April 24 during this year's World Championship in Sheffield, ruling out the 10 players concerned.

World number nine and 2021 UK Championship winner Zhao Xintong and 2021 Masters champion Yan Bingtao are among the players charged and will miss the World Championship.