China’s Crucible anger
WORLD SNOOKER chairman Barry Hearn insists Sheffi eld is the only place to stage the Betfred World Championship.
The governing body yesterday announced a new 10- year deal with the Steel City – where the Crucible has been used for the blue- riband event since 1977.
That extends the contract until 2027 but risks angering the Chinese, who had been dangling millions to take the tournament to the Far East. Five- time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan had recently voiced fears that a move might be “inevitable” due to cash pressure.
The theatre capacity is just 980, and the fi nal and many other matches could be sold out several times over. There may yet be a switch to a bigger venue but the Crucible looks safe for at least fi ve more years, and next year marks the 40th anniversary.
Hearn said: “This is the Super Bowl of our sport – but eccentric in a British way. It is a tiny venue when it should be massive. But this puts the speculation to bed.”
Wang Zijiang of the Xinhua news agency says China will be bitterly disappointed with the decision.
Wang said: “It is very disappointing. It is the World Championship, not Wimbledon. It is more like the Olympics, or the World Cup.
“They are promoting snooker as a worldwide, global sport and China must have a chance to host it.”