WPBSA responds to Ronnie O’Sullivan comments on Weibo: 2012 Shanghai Masters
A verbal tussle took place between World Snooker Chairman and the four-time World Snooker Champion Ronnie O’Sullivan during the final proceedings of the 2012 World Snooker Championship over the decision from the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association
(WPBSA). The WPBSA decided to increase the number of snooker events in the recent season which was unacceptable for the Rocket.
Later on, the Essex Exocet refused to sign the contract of the participation in the new snooker season with the WPBSA due to some reservations. This act aroused a verbal brawl between Hearn and O’Sullivan once again. The English potter wanted to have a break
and take part in selective snooker tournaments.
At that time the WPBSA clarified that the association does not make it compulsory for the potters to play every tournament but at the same time, signing the contract is mandatory for participation. Things became worse when the Wordsley potter recently commented
on his Weibo (a Twitter like social network of China) page that he would like to take part in the 2012 Shanghai Masters snooker event and not before that.
He also suggested the WPBSA to follow the selection patterns of Tennis and Golf where players can choose an event to play and can have a wild card entry. In a recent statement, the WPBSA has responded to O’Sullivan’s comments about the selection criteria.
The WPBSA stated on official World Snooker website, “Following recent conjecture about the World Snooker Players Contract, we would like to make clear that the contract has been put in place in order to protect the interests of the game of snooker for the
benefit of the players, broadcasters, sponsors, promoters and most importantly the fans.”
The statement further added, “Much like those in Golf and Tennis, the contract lays out to the players what is expected of them as professional sportsmen. Under the terms of the contract, players can choose which events they would like to take part in. However,
players may be penalised if they enter events and withdraw from them without a valid reason.”
The WPBSA has clearly mentioned that the pros and cons of the snooker contract will not be changed over the will of one player. However, it is still ambiguous where this tussle would end but it is definitely not good for the reputation of the sport as well
as the governing body and the player himself.
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