ALLEN: WE MUST WORK TOGETHER
MARK ALLEN believes snooker’s biggest names want more of a compromise from World Snooker Tour regarding the players contract.
WST have relaxed the rules in terms of sideline events with guaranteed prize money after player furore earlier this season over the ‘Macau 5’ saga.
Going forward stars will be allowed to play in what they like as long as it does not clash with a main tour date.
This comes at a time where there is an offer on the table for rebels to jump ship for a rival tour with guaranteed money of around £350,000.
But Allen (above), who plays John Higgins in the last 16 of the World Championship today, reckons players want the ability to pick and choose their events whether they clash or not.
The world No.3 said: “I take a couple of things out of it [the players letter]
“It looks as though World Snooker are worried about something in the background. There’s been lots of rumours on stuff lately.
“It looks like they’re going to ease the contracts slightly for certain events, but I still feel like the players will want something more.
“It will be interesting to see that final contract and see exactly what’s changed.
“It’s a step in the right direction, but I do feel like we’ll need more of a compromise from World Snooker to do exactly what we want.
“I think the players want the choice to pick and choose what they play in and not have restrictions that you can’t play in something because it clashes with something else.”
Earlier this week, supremo Barry Hearn announced that prize money on the professional circuit will be upped to a record £20million next season.
And off the back of the success of last month’s Saudi Arabia Masters of Snooker, other Middle East countries are ready to get involved with the sport.
There will be an event in Qatar next year, with talks ongoing with Bahrain, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
“It would just be an ideal scenario if there were other events going on around the world and we could sit down and work together on dates that suit everyone and it’s the best of both worlds,” added Antrim ace Allen.
“WST aren’t being penalised in any way, their events aren’t getting harmed and the players can do what they want with bigger events for guaranteed money.”