Silvino Francisco
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| Silvino Francisco | |
|---|---|
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| Personal Information | |
| Date of birth | May 3, 1946 |
| Nationality | South African |
| Career | |
| Professional | 1978 - present |
| 2004/5 World Ranking | n/a |
| Best World Ranking | 10 (1987/88) |
| World Championship Best | ? |
| Highest Break | ? |
| Ranking Tournament Wins | |
| British Open | 1985 |
Silvino Francisco (born May 3, 1946) is a South African professional snooker player.
Francisco comes from a snooker-playing family. His brother Mannie and nephew Peter both played at a high level.
Francisco won the 1985 British Open, beating Kirk Stevens 12-9. Afterwards, he accused Stevens of playing under the influence of drugs, and was fined and penalised ranking points. When Stevens admitted a drugs problem, the penalty was reversed.
He was involved in another scandal after the 1989 Masters final. After losing 5-1 to Terry Griffiths, it was discovered that there had been heavy betting on that exact score. Francisco was arrested, but later released without charge. Gambling problems followed, to the extent of being declared bankrupt in 1996, and he was reduced to working evenings in a fish and chip shop.
Worse was to come. In 1997, he was arrested for smuggling cannabis, and served three years in prison.