Ronnie O’Sullivan’s comments are ‘wrong’, ‘disrespectful’ and ‘prejudicial’ to snooker, says WST chairman | Billiards News

Seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan mentioned snooker was “within the worst place it is ever been”; World Snooker Tour chairman Steve Dawson hits again at world No. 1 and wonders if the 47-year-old acts as a job mannequin like Rory McIlroy in golf and Roger Federer in tennis

World Snooker Tour chairman Steve Dawson has hit again at Ronnie O’Sullivan’s “misguided” and “disrespectful” feedback concerning the state of the game.

Seven-time world champion O’Sullivan claimed this week that the sport is within the “worst place ever” in relation to prize cash and even raised the opportunity of gamers staging a strike.

A match-fixing listening to involving 10 Chinese language gamers additionally means subsequent month’s World Championship in Sheffield might be performed beneath a darkish cloud, however Dawson got here out combating with a prolonged assertion on the WST web site.

“Ronnie is a implausible participant and a legend of our sport, however generally his misguided feedback take it too far,” Dawson wrote. “I feel it’s mandatory to reply to a number of the hurtful remarks he made to the press this week.

“To begin with, Ronnie has by no means attended a gamers assembly or engaged with us to debate his views. He additionally has my quantity and is invited to talk to me instantly.

World Snooker Tour chairman Steve Dawson needs O’Sullivan to assist ‘transfer the game ahead’

Dawson wonders if O’Sullivan is appearing as a job mannequin

“He usually compares snooker to golf and tennis, however I problem him to search out out if he, for his half, elevates the game and acts as a job mannequin like Rory McIlroy or Roger Federer.

“We’re working to take snooker to the subsequent degree, however we want gamers to be ambassadors in public and talk their considerations by the correct channels. Feedback like Ronnie’s this week damage us as a sport – and they’re unfounded.”

Dawson highlighted the expansion in prize cash because the industrial rights to snooker have been awarded to Matchroom Sport in 2010, including: “Whereas we ran the tour Ronnie gained £7m in prize cash together with the primary prize of £500,000 on the world championship final yr.

“Little doubt together with his expertise it will have been much more had he chosen to play in additional occasions.

“His feedback are too usually disrespectful to the devoted administration of snooker, the game’s enterprise companions and venues and to fellow gamers.

O’Sullivan gained a file seventh world championship at The Crucible in 2022

“OSullivan ought to work with us to maneuver the game ahead”

“Up to now he has described decrease ranked gamers as ‘numpties’ however they love the game as a lot as he does and our position is to present them alternatives to compete. This season we’ve offered each participant with a assure earnings of £20,000 to assist pay bills and develop their careers.

“He recommended that the gamers go on strike – however why? It definitely will not generate any new income. He additionally claims that the gamers are afraid of being fined for giving their opinion, however once more, that does not isn’t confirmed by the info.

“The variety of gamers fined for feedback made within the media is tiny – usually they’ve much more freedom than athletes in different sports activities as a result of we wish them to have interaction extra with the media and the followers.

“If Ronnie took benefit of his personal large world recognition to be a real ambassador for snooker, then he might work with us to drive the game ahead for his profit and for the game as a complete.

“Snooker is larger than any participant. The game will proceed to develop and we’re assured that within the years to come back will probably be extra profitable than ever.

“My message to Ronnie – and all of the gamers – is to come back speak to me and the staff. Our door is all the time open.”

Selby wins the WST Basic in Leicester

Mark Selby gained the WST Basic in his hometown of Leicester

On the desk, Mark Selby gained three matches in someday to say the WST Basic title at residence to Leicester.

Selby made it three centuries beating China’s Pang Junxu 6-2 within the ultimate at Morningside Enviornment to say the £80,000 high prize.

The 39-year-old earlier beat John Higgins 4-2 within the quarter-finals earlier than beating Ali Carter 5-0 within the final 4, with breaks of 95, 138, 65 and 89 serving to him restrict Carter to only 50 factors within the match.

Selby might be aiming for a fifth World Championship title at The Crucible in April.