Maguire defends 'friend' Burnett

Maguire is through to the last four in Telford

Stephen Maguire says he is "very surprised" by the need for an inquiry into his match with Jamie Burnett and has strongly defended his fellow Scot.

World Snooker launched the inquiry following unusual betting patterns around Burnett's first-round loss to Maguire at the UK Championship.

But asked if there was anything untoward about the match, Maguire told BBC Radio 5 Live: "No chance.

"I know Jamie well, we grew up together and I count him as a good friend."

Burnett, who denies any wrongdoing, was beaten 9-3 and it has since emerged that several bookmakers stopped taking bets on that exact scoreline well before the match started.

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Watch Burnett's crucial missed black

The 33-year-old Scot missed a black in the 12th frame which would have made it 8-4, and World Snooker confirmed on Thursday it is investigating the match.

"If they need to speak to me, then they need to speak to me," said Maguire. "I'm at the other end of the phone any time.

"They can investigate him all they want but if they investigate then I think an apology at the end might be right."