Ally pally without fans makes no sense whatsoever
Triple Masters champion, Mark Selby, believes it is a waste of time holding next month’s iconic tournament behind closed doors.
The prestigious invitational tournament at London’s Alexandra Palace was originally scheduled to be the long-awaited return of snooker supporters.
But fans have been banned from for the duration of the eight- day event due to London being plunged into tighter Covid-19 restrictions.
And Selby stressed: “For me, it doesn’t make sense to have the Masters at Ally Pally if there aren’t any fans there.
“It’s such a big venue to try to fill in normal times and we’re lucky that it’s packed most sessions.
“But it could be echoey because there’s no crowd, and that would be even worse for the players.”
Milton Keynes’ Marshall Arena has become snooker’s home this season due to the coronavirus pandemic, with players and officials operating within a strict isolation bubble.
The last time snooker fans watched live action was when Ronnie O’sullivan famously pocketed his sixth World Championship back in August.
Selby believes staging the Masters in London also poses a logistical nightmare for players.
The World No. 4 added: “If there’s no crowd, then you could literally put the table anywhere. It doesn’t matter.
“We’ve been at Milton Keynes for a few months now, so it works.
“It would be nice to have a change of scenery, and I’m sure everyone else will feel the same. But you’ve got the hotel on site and it works.
“At Ally Pally, there’s no hotel close by – it’s five or six miles away.”
The Masters’ old home at the Wembley Conference Centre is widely regarded as the greatest atmosphere snooker’s ever had.
But Ally Pally has made the tournament its own, with 2,000 fans packing into the arena for every session.
And Selby is gutted fans won’t be returning to watch the elite top-16 in action.
He reflected: “It’s a real shame that there won’t be fans at the Masters.
“The London fans are incredible and the tournament is special.
“The fans really make tournaments what they are.
“Even in smaller events, you might not feel up for it. But if you walk out and there’s a full crowd, then your emotions change.”
Top potters O’sullivan, World No. 1 Judd Trump, Neil Robertson and John Higgins will all be gunning for the £250,000 top prize.