Ronnie O’Sullivan Launches New Attack on Barry Hearn

Without doubt Ronnie O’Sullivan is the most influential snooker player in the world, so you would do your best to keep him happy.

However, World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn doesn’t appear to be in O’Sullivan’s good books at present. The current favourite for the Betway UK Championship claimed that Hearn is running a ‘dictatorship.’

The five-time world champion went even further with his tirade of abuse as he branded the venue for the English Open a ‘hellhole.’ O’Sullivan claimed that the interview area at the Crawley K2 Leisure Centre smelt of urine and wasn’t fit to host such a high calibre event.

Following an appearance on UK radio station TalkSport, a fan asked him to go further with his comments about Hearn. O’Sullivan was only happy to elaborate, he Tweeted: “Barry doesn’t care about snooker; it’s all about the cash. Dictatorship it’s called, disguised under democracy.”

On his appearance on TalkSport, he said: “He is full of you know what, he hasn’t got a clue about sport. He is a number cruncher. His main job is an accountant. The class of the sport has gone.”

Hearn is the father of boxing promoter Eddie. However, Barry also has a track record of promoting in boxing and darts, as well as part owning Leyton Orient Football Club.

The Chairman of World Snooker was very quick to reply to Ronnie’s comments and suggested that they should arrange a meeting so he could discuss his concerns. He even stressed that he would take his comments to World Snooker’s players commission.

When a Twitter user asked for Hearn’s response, he said: “How can I listen when he refuses to meet? Ronnie has been offered the opportunity to meet with the player’s forum for months so that he could air his views.”

Their dispute doesn’t seem to be bothering O’Sullivan’s performances however, as he has recently extended his own record of most century breaks. He added a further two to reach a 950 total; this was made in his semi-final victory against British player Stuart Bingham in the Shanghai Masters.

The snooker legend is preparing for the Betway UK Championship in York having already secured 978 career centuries to date. One would expect that it won’t be too long until that 1000^th occasion will come.

However, in another little dig at the chairman, he said that he would make the record happen at an event that is worthy enough. He said: “I won’t make it at an event where it’s one man and his dog in Barnsley or Preston- or a stinky leisure centre. I will time it for a proper event and make it special for my fans. I do everything for the fans.”

The UK Championship began on 27^th November and will continue throughout December, before the final takes place on December 9^th. O’Sullivan will be looking to regain his title that he won last year, beating Shaun Murphy 10-5. Another title would also mean that the Englishman would have won the championship more times than any other player.

Mark Selby was the second favourite in the betting for the competition. Selby made his first appearance of the season in the World Cup in China; he failed to make it to the final as he lost in the round of best 32. He fell to the young Thai player Noppon Saengkham.

Selby however won’t be winning the competition after exiting in the first round against amateur James Cahill.

Judd Trump completes the favourites; he will be high on confidence after recently beating O’Sullivan in the Northern Ireland Open. Trump was brilliant in the thrilling match up that eventually finished 9-7. This meant that he has now won nine ranking titles and has taken his career title earnings to nearly £3 million. The Ace should be among the leading contenders once the competition gets to the business end.

The first of the Triple Crown events is sure to be a great competition between the 128 competitors. Get ready for a majestic two weeks of high-quality snooker.