Mark Allen: World number four targets ‘peaceful resolution’ to player contract concerns
24 November 2023
…
Mark Allen goes into the UK Championship as defending champion
UK Championship
Venue: Barbican Centre, York Dates: Saturday, 25 November – Sunday, 3 December
BBC coverage: Watch live on BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Red Button and BBC iPlayer, as well as the BBC Sport website and mobile app. More details.
Mark Allen is seeking a “peaceful resolution” to contract concerns when he and other players meet with snooker bosses during the UK Championship.
Allen recently criticised World Snooker Tour (WST), saying the game was in “disarray” and that player contracts were “very restrictive”.
He later apologised on X, saying: “I regret and sincerely apologise for making these comments.”
Allen said he wants “all our cards on the table” in the meeting.
The world number four added: “Some of the issues I have are the same things that Ronnie [O’Sullivan] has said, so hopefully we can get a peaceful resolution because it’s obviously not ideal.
“It’s not ideal for me to be sitting here doing an interview when I can’t speak about things and be open and honest and I feel at the moment I can’t be.“
In response to Allen’s latest comments, WST said: “We have given all the players the chance to sit down with us this week and raise any concerns they have, and are always open to dialogue with them.”
…
Allen’s original comments were made after five players faced potential disciplinary action over their decision to take part in an exhibition event in Macau instead of appearing at this year’s Northern Ireland Open.
That action was averted when the event was moved to December with WST permission.
In October, Allen told BBC Northern Ireland he was “firmly in the players’ camp” over the dispute and that players needed to “be stronger and stand up to World Snooker and renegotiate this contract because it’s very restrictive of what we can and can’t do“.
He also told the Irish Mirror that “the game is in disarray, it’s gone nowhere in recent years“.
That led to him apologising on X, saying the comments were “damaging and I unreservedly withdraw them“.
Allen added: “[I] look forward to working with World Snooker in the future to ensure our great sport, and the players that make it, reaches its full potential and delivers for fans around the world.“
Seven-time world champion O’Sullivan told BBC Sport this week he was at a “crossroads” with snooker’s governing body and could quit the sport if he has to reduce the time he spends in China.
O’Sullivan said: “There’s not enough here for me in the UK to justify the effort that I put in. When I go to China I play in great venues, great crowds, great prize money. And I love it.“
Speaking before the UK Championship starts in York on Saturday, Allen, who goes into the tournament as defending champion, told BBC Sport: “I think you’d be surprised at how many players are feeling the same way; unfortunately they are not as vocal as the likes of Ronnie and myself.“
He believes him having to apologise “probably scares a few players“.
Allen added: “They’re maybe thinking that ‘I don’t want to get into trouble’ if Mark or Ronnie is getting into trouble for things they’ve said. It’s important for the players to have a voice too. There needs to be a balance and that’s something I’ll be discussing this week with WST.“
That clearly tells me that Allen may have apologised but he hasn’t changed his opinion regarding the whole situation.
Mark Williams, Shaun Murphy, Mark Allen, Kyren Wilson, Ali Carter, Hossein Vafaei, Stuart Bingham, Jimmy White, Ken Doherty and defending champion Chris Wakelin are among the star names in the line-up for the BetVictor Shoot Out at Swansea Arena next month.
Snooker’s most thrilling event, with a unique fast-moving format, runs from December 6th to 9th and will be staged in Swansea for the first time.
All matches last a maximum of ten minutes, with a shot clock of 15 seconds for the first five minutes and just ten seconds for the last five. Players are put under extreme pressure as they battle the clock and their opponent. Fans are encouraged to interact with the players and enjoy the occasion!
…
Notable first round matches include:
Chris Wakelin, who beat Julien Leclercq in the final last season, v Pang Junxu. Wednesday December 6th, 1pm session
Former World Champion Ken Doherty v Matthew Stevens. Wednesday December 6th, 1pm session
World number four Mark Allen v Ben Woollaston. Wednesday December 6th, 7pm session
Mark Davis v World Women’s Champion Baipat Siripaporn. Wednesday December 6th, 7pm session
Five-time ranking event winner Kyren Wilson v Daniel Wells. Wednesday December 6th, 7pm session
Crowd favourite Jimmy White v Zak Surety. Wednesday December 6th, 7pm session
World number seven Shaun Murphy v Bulcsu Revesz. Thursday December 7th, 1pm session
2022 Shoot Out king Hossein Vafaei v Welsh 15-year-old Riley Powell. Thursday December 7th, 1pm session
Three-time Crucible king and top Welshman Mark Williams v Matthew Selt. Thursday December 7th, 7pm session
The line-up also includes the best up-and-coming talent from around the UK and Ireland. The wild cards are:
Liam Davies – Ranked number one on the Q Tour
Riley Powell – Welsh Under-16 winner
Jack Borwick – Scottish Under-16 winner
Joel Connolly – Northern Ireland Under-21 winner
Bulcsu Revesz – EBSA Under-18 Champion
Shaun Liu – EPSB Under-14 winner
Leone Crowley – Republic of Ireland Under-21 winner
Oliver Sykes – Currently ranked number one on English Junior Tour
An exciting day out is guaranteed for fans! Part of the BetVictor Series, the event is televised by Eurosport, discovery+ and many other broadcasters worldwide.
The updated tournament calendar for the 2023/24 season is now available.
The Six Red World Championship 2024 has been postponed at the request of the promoter. The World Open 2024 dates have also been changed, at the request of the promoter, to 18-24 March. Click here for the updated tournament calendar
Also below is the updated re-ranking points schedule, which includes the World Open 2024.
Mark Williams, Shaun Murphy, Mark Allen, Kyren Wilson, Ali Carter, Hossein Vafaei, Stuart Bingham, Jimmy White, Ken Doherty and defending champion Chris Wakelin are among the star names in the line-up for the BetVictor Shoot Out at Swansea Arena next month.
The line-up also includes the best up-and-coming talent from around the UK and Ireland. The wild cards are:
Ronnie O'Sullivan 
test
it works :))))