Keep korma and carry on, Ron Salary cap revamp agreed
ROCKET’S MAKING A RIGHT MEAL OF IT
RONNIE O’SULLIVAN could miss snooker’s big return – if he’s barred from bringing his own food.
The Rocket will head for Milton Keynes’ Marshall Arena later this week after accepting a place in the 64-player Championship League tournament.
The five-time world champion has taken his food preparation very seriously during the coronavirus lockdown.
O’sullivan, 44, has not allowed anyone else to touch or prepare his food for months and expects to be able to bring his own chick-pea curry, chicken, salad and vegetables.
Other players are having foil-covered meals left outside their hotel room door.
But O’sullivan said: “I don’t trust people cooking my own food at the hotel during these times. I have been told that will be okay, but you never know until you arrive there and see what happens.
“If I feel the food situation is not right and I am not allowed to bring in my own pre-prepared stuff, I will feel my health is the most important.
“That would be a deal-breaker for me, I am funny about it.
“I don’t mind cold food so I’ll bring some chick-pea curry along, or some chicken and make some salad and vegetables.
“Until there is a vaccine you are going to be anxious and have worries, and not take risks.
“So when I get there, hopefully I feel safe, and if I don’t and I’m not happy, then my health has to come first and I could leave.”
O’sullivan will be hoping to join world No.1 and reigning world champion Judd Trump in next week’s last 16 by winning his group on Friday.
But he admits it will be a shot in the dark having hardly played or practised since February.
O’sullivan added: “I have been keeping my spirits up, and to be honest I have enjoyed some aspects of the lockdown. I have been running a lot and I haven’t missed not playing snooker one bit.
“I have done no practise whatsoever. Literally a couple of hours last week, and I’ll maybe do two or three hours before I play on Friday.
“I think it will be fine having no crowd for a change, there is a whole circus that goes with snooker for me. Maybe this will be better – a bit of peace and quiet!
“I love the fans, but when I say tournaments can be a circus, I don’t think people realise sometimes what is asked of me – probably more than any other player.”
ENGLAND’S top rugby clubs have unanimously agreed to an overhaul of the Premiership salary cap.
The historic move follows champions Saracens being found guilty of multiple breaches earlier this season and condemned to relegation.
Sarries joined the rest of the top flight, plus promoted Newcastle, in accepting the 52 recommendations in the Myners report.
These include titles being stripped for serious offences and greater accountability for clubs, players and agents.
Premiership chief executive Darren Childs said: “We want to create the gold standard for sporting integrity, financial viability and competitive balance. It’s a credit to our clubs that they have acted so quickly to support these recommendations and take the Premiership salary cap into a new era.”
There is no change to the £7m cap but Lord Myners has called for the ‘marquee’ rule – which allows two players to be paid an unlimited amount outside the cap – to be reviewed by the clubs.
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