Today THIS was published by the Daily Star

Ronnie O’Sullivan coach BANNED from Romford training base – this is why

RONNIE O’SULLIVAN has been dealt a blow on the eve of the World Snooker Championship after his coach was banned from visiting his training base.

By Rhys Turrell

Ronnie O’Sullivan linked up with Stephen Feeney last year after he turned Mark Williams back into a world champion.

Williams, 44, won his third Crucible title in May 2018 and O’Sullivan decided to get the mastermind behind that success on board.

Feeney appears to have had a major impact on The Rocket after his stunning season which has seen him return to the world No.1 spot and claim five major titles.

But his progress could be hit after his coach was banned from O’Sullivan’s Romford training base.

O’Sullivan has practiced at the Grove Academy in Romford, Essex, for years.

But he’s had to change his plans for the 2019 World Snooker Championship, and will instead head to Sheffield.

The Grove Academy is owned by O’Sullivan’s former manager Django Fung, and he’s banned Feeney from entering the venue – although the player himself is still allowed in.

Fung manages fellow snooker stars Judd Trump and Neil Robertson and disrupting O’Sullivan’s preparations could give them a big advantage.

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This happened 10 months ago. No one is banned, I just need to know who enters my premises and when. Also don’t need any unwanted distractions to my players. I explained this to @ronnieo147 and he fully understands it.

Clearly someone is making a “drama” story out of nothing. The article is inaccurate and misleading. Unfortunately many will only read the article, comment on it and share it and will not see – or will deliberately choose to ignore Django’s answer… because they like to stir the pot.

I have seen this type of things often enough when I was in the media room. Quotes from players, taken out of context, twisted, presented as spontaneous when they had been baited into it. Just to create “stories” that sell, in total disregard from what the players actually meant. And it’s all the most easy to do when they are interviewed, only minutes after a match, especially when they are feeling raw having just lost.

Don’t get me wrong, there are many journalists out there who genuinely do their job the best they can, trying to promote the sport, to sell articles to their – too often reluctant – editors whilst being fair to the players. But you have the others as well … like this one.