Hearn pulls Ronnie into line
AS Ronnie O’Sullivan cruised into the semi-finals of the UK Championship in York, World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn warned him his public outbursts have to stop.
Five-time world champion O’Sullivan infuriated Hearn this week by supporting the idea of a breakaway circuit.
O’Sullivan, 43, reached the last four at the Barbican with a 6-1 win against Martin O’Donnell but while he was closing in on his 11th UK Championship semi- final, Hearn told the sport’s most marketable player he had to abide by the rules.
‘It is damaging to the game,’ said Hearn. ‘When you’re talking to major broadcasters around the world, for them to read about a breakaway — it’s a word that tips you away from the sport because it’s controversy. So that is damaging and that must stop.
‘The rules are very specific. It can’t take place and I’ll be talking to Ronnie about that.’
Hearn said O’Sullivan had been invited to discuss his complaints with World Snooker’s players’ forum.
But asked if he would be meeting Hearn, O’Sullivan said: ‘No, there’s no point.’