WORLD SNOOKER CHAIRMAN Barry Hearn has hit back at Mark Allen – calling him a “silly little boy”.
After progressing through to the second round the UK Championship on Monday, Allen expressed his anger at the changes to the format of the tournament – insisting that Hearn had a “fuck the players” attitude as he is only out to make money for himself.
Yesterday, Hearn told reporters he was disappointed with the personal attack and added that he would be seeking legal advice on the matter.
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And speaking to BBC Sport, he said he was “far too busy to worry about silly little boys making silly little comments”.
“It is a shame (the comments) have overshadowed a first-class tournament. I’ve been watching it and enjoying it and the crowds are up,” he said.
“People say silly things, we all say silly things, but I am happy to let the disciplinary committee deal with it.”
In an attempt to rejuvenate the sport, fans were able to watch both matches in York as the partitions between tables was taken down.
The first and second round matches were also cut from 17 frames 11 but 25-year-old Allen was clearly unimpressed and could now be charged by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) for breaching tournament rules after calling for Hearn’s resignation.
“I’ve got no doubt he’ll tweak the World Championship,” Allen said.
Unhappy
“Barry’s just there to make money for himself, it doesn’t matter about the players. The whole tradition of the game is going to pot.
“He (Hearn) needs to get away from the darts factor. It’s getting close to that. I think in the long run he’ll probably do good for snooker, but not for my generation. It’s time to let someone else have a go.”
Hearn hasn’t been afraid to make changes since taking snooker’s top job 18 months ago, which include introducing more ranking events and a greater number of tournaments which carry ranking points.
Snooker chief Barry Hearn responds to Mark Allen's outburst
WORLD SNOOKER CHAIRMAN Barry Hearn has hit back at Mark Allen – calling him a “silly little boy”.
After progressing through to the second round the UK Championship on Monday, Allen expressed his anger at the changes to the format of the tournament – insisting that Hearn had a “fuck the players” attitude as he is only out to make money for himself.
Yesterday, Hearn told reporters he was disappointed with the personal attack and added that he would be seeking legal advice on the matter.
And speaking to BBC Sport, he said he was “far too busy to worry about silly little boys making silly little comments”.
“It is a shame (the comments) have overshadowed a first-class tournament. I’ve been watching it and enjoying it and the crowds are up,” he said.
“People say silly things, we all say silly things, but I am happy to let the disciplinary committee deal with it.”
In an attempt to rejuvenate the sport, fans were able to watch both matches in York as the partitions between tables was taken down.
The first and second round matches were also cut from 17 frames 11 but 25-year-old Allen was clearly unimpressed and could now be charged by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) for breaching tournament rules after calling for Hearn’s resignation.
“I’ve got no doubt he’ll tweak the World Championship,” Allen said.
Unhappy
“Barry’s just there to make money for himself, it doesn’t matter about the players. The whole tradition of the game is going to pot.
“He (Hearn) needs to get away from the darts factor. It’s getting close to that. I think in the long run he’ll probably do good for snooker, but not for my generation. It’s time to let someone else have a go.”
Hearn hasn’t been afraid to make changes since taking snooker’s top job 18 months ago, which include introducing more ranking events and a greater number of tournaments which carry ranking points.
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Barry Hearn Cueless Mark Allen Outburst UK Championships Snooker World Snooker