Ronnie O'Sullivan told he should never play World Snooker Championship again if he accepts new proposal

Ronnie O'Sullivan told he should never play World Snooker Championship again if he accepts new proposal

WATCH NOW: Ronnie O'Sullivan risks angering UK fans after thumping victory at Riyadh Season Masters

Lewis Winter

By Lewis Winter


Published: 29/04/2024

- 10:33

The Rocket has been warned he may not be allowed to compete at snooker's major tournaments

Shaun Murphy believes snooker rebels should not be allowed to play in the World Championship if they join a breakaway tour.

Ronnie O'Sullivan is the most high-profile player who has confirmed he is prepared to 'walk away' from the World Snooker Tour (WST).


O'Sullivan says he is open to the best offer as he aims to win a record-breaking eighth title at the Crucible this week.

The 48-year-old has won the first two Triple Crown events of the season and is aiming to win all three in the same campaign for the first time.

Ronnie O'Sullivan

Ronnie O'Sullivan has been told he shouldn't play at the World Snooker Championship if he defects to a new tour

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World No 2 Judd Trump insists he has no plans to leave the WST, telling investors to 'go away' when he was contacted a few months ago.

Murphy is pleased with Trump's stance but says any player who defects to a new tour should be blocked from competing at the sport's major tournaments.

He told the BBC: "The players are talking about it. I've not been approached by anybody, I don't know anything about it and nobody has rung me. I've got no interest in it.

"I'm led to believe some players have signed NDAs (non-disclosure agreements). I heard my name mentioned with people saying I've signed an NDA but I haven't.

"I will finish this season and will look to return to the tour next season.

"I was pleased to see Judd nail his colours to the mast.

"I've seen comments from players saying they have to make choices for their families. These players have taken and taken from the sport and they want to take even more and good luck to them.

"It's a shame they've not considered putting a bit more back into a tour that's given them so much before they run away.

"They can play on the WST in major Triple Crown events with the history and prestige that Judd talks about or they can play on a new tour with an unknown backer and people we don’t know.

"How long will this pot of money last for? It's a case of be careful what you wish for.

"I wouldn't like a situation where players can go off and then come back to the Triple Crown events.

"I don't think that should happen. You stick your flag in the ground and declare your loyalty somewhere."

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Shaun Murphy

Shaun Murphy says players who defect should not be allowed to play at Triple Crown events

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O'Sullivan said last week that he is interested in moving away from the WST and wants to be 'pampered'.

He said: "There’s talk there might be another tour. Every player has the right to do what they want to do – you see it in other sports like golf.

"The bottom line is you’ve got to be prepared to walk away, if I didn’t get what I want am I prepared to walk away from the sport? And the answer is yes. I’m, happy with my life.

"I want to be looked after wanna be pampered, anyone who wants to pamper me and look after me, I’m your man.

Ronnie O'Sullivan

Ronnie O'Sullivan says he is open to the best offer from snooker investors

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"I’m just an open book, I’m here, best offer, come speak to me, you’ll find my contact details on Instagram. First come first served, that will be my policy until I stop playing.

"Each sportsman is a business whether you like it or not so you have to do what’s right for you. We all have families to feed.

"Every person in the world is like that, I’ve got a friend who works for the NHS but has been offered three or four times her salary to go and work in Australia so she’s going to go and do that.

"She’s just going for the better pay, that’s what happens sometimes. We live in a competitive world, so it’s great that there’s this choice out there."

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