John Higgins, Luca Brecel en Mark Selby. — © Getty Images
The Northern Ireland Open is scheduled for October 22 to 29, but the organization of the tournament cannot count on the participation of the biggest names in the snooker world. The reason? World champion Luca Brecel, Mark Selby, John Higgins and two others have indicated that they want to participate in a more lucrative competition. The World Snooker Tour is not set up with this in mind and speaks of breach of contract, but according to the players this is not the case. “They cannot oblige them,” came from Brecel’s camp.
Brecel, Selby and Higgins prefer a match on the Chinese peninsula of Macau, just like Ali Carter and the Thai Thepchaiya Un-Nooh. The event reportedly earns them a large sum of money and that simply appeals more to the five. Despite not confirming their participation in the Northern Ireland Open at any point, the World Snooker Tour (WST), the organization that runs the sport’s biggest official competitions, is threatening legal sanctions.
However, according to their assistance, the players in question do not have to fear. The WST’s threats would have no legal standing, as they were not officially registered for the tournament taking place in Belfast. What is beyond dispute is that the Northern Irish tournament has suffered image damage now that the biggest stars prefer an exhibition match in ‘the Las Vegas of the East’. Other greats will not be able to replace the five, according to experts. At the same time, an event will also be held in Shanghai in which Ronnie O’Sullivan, Judd Trump, Mark Williams and many others will participate.
The discussion is indicative of the crisis currently prevailing in snooker. Tour events such as the Northern Ireland Open are up against organizers in China, who are coming up with the big money to entice the biggest stars.
O’Sullivan’s response
O’Sullivan has also responded to the clash between the players and the WST. “It is really bullshit that the organization wants to scare the players in such a way,” the snooker legend said. He thus joins the rebellious players, who are called the ‘Macau Five’ by the British tabloid ‘The Daily Mail’.
Luca Brecel and Ronnie O’Sullivan after the final of the Shanghai Masters, which was won by the Brit. — © Getty Images
2023-10-09 11:05:31
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