Ronnie O’Sullivan suggested that snooker’s governing body should offer more support for these players It was suspended following an ongoing match-fixing investigation.
The world champion has often spoken out about the struggles professional players face to make it in the game.
Zhao Xintong, a 2021 UK snooker champ who was nominated by O’Sullivan for greatness, and Yan Bingtao, a former Masters champion are among those players.
Both are ranked among the top 16 players worldwide and have been removed from the Masters due to an investigation that is expected in the next two week.
O’Sullivan, who admitted that he once received money to set up a match, but could not think of such an action, said he had “no” concerns about the players facing him.
O’Sullivan stated that he did not know about this investigation. However, he highlighted the wider challenges faced by some snooker pros.
He said, “I don’t understand what’s happening if I’m being honest.” “Before you start criticizing the people involved, you need to put yourself in the shoes of others. They could have an addiction or be struggling to make ends satisfy.
“I believe World Snooker could support them rather than being harsh on them, and maybe change their structure to not put these players in that position.”
“It’s not as significant as other things happening in the world.”
O Sullivan doesn’t expect permanent snooker injury. He said, “I’m certain it happened in football and that it didn’t hurt football.” “I’m sure it happened in tennis and it didn’t hurt tennis. I’m sure that some golfer did something, but it doesn’t seem to have any impact on the sport.
“I think it will get sorted. It’s important to discuss this but it isn’t as important as other things happening in the world.
“What we’re talking about is sport. It’s important to get to the root of the matter and to support them so that they don’t feel the need to do what is necessary. That’s my opinion.”
Following O’Sullivan’s remarks, the governing bodies for Snooker issued a joint statement. “WST and WPBSA offer support in both guaranteed income and the opportunity to win significant amounts of prize money, available on the World Snooker Tour,” he said. “Our structure includes a players’ council, and providing player welfare and support is paramount to us.”
O’Sullivan, who has won the Masters title seven times in a row, won 6-1 in round one over Luca Bressel. He will now face either Mark Williams or Dave Gilbert for the quarter-finals.
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