ALEX HIGGINS yesterday made an attempt to avert or minimise disciplinary action against him by snooker's governing body by apologising to two referees he has verbally abused.

The former World Champion, currently serving a suspended one year ban pending his future conduct, faces possible further action by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) for remarks made to Alan Chamberlain and Laurie Annandale during the recent qualifying school in Blackpool.

In a statement issued through his solicitor Robin Falvey, Higgins said: "I wish to unequivocably apologise to Lawrie Annandale and Alan Chamberlain about remarks made to them and to the WPBSA for remarks which I made about the Board, which at this stage, are inappropriate.

"I have been under a great deal of strain recently, not only as a result of trying to qualify for tournaments but also because of the strain imposed by my impending proceedings against the WPBSA and its Board members.

Higgins was reported by Annandale for making "derogatory remarks" on Tuesday shortly after his 10-7 defeat by Surinder Gill in the eighth qualifying round of the World Championship.