SAUDI NICE LITTLE HEARN-ER
PROMOTER Barry Hearn has defended taking major sporting events to Saudi Arabia, despite criticism over the country’s record on human rights and claims of sportswashing.
However, it is understood that despite a £2.5m deal being signed before Covid for a snooker tournament there, World Snooker Tour may now have to look elsewhere in the region.
Matchroom president Hearn told BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs show yesterday: “We give a huge amount of thought to it but at the end of the day we are representing our clients and our job is to maximise their financial returns.
“To take a fight like an Anthony Joshua fight for example to Saudi Arabia means that my client will earn three times what he would earn normally.
“And no, I don’t even consider it (Saudi’s human rights record).”
World Snooker Tour had been due to stage a first major ranking tournament in the country in October 2020 but Covid saw the tournament postponed and those close to the deal have suggested getting it back on is proving difficult.
And it could be that the region is more likely to see a major snooker event in Abu Dhabi or the UAE than Saudi Arabia in the foreseeable future.
Meanwhile, Neil Robertson will open up the defence of his Masters title at Alexandra Palace in January against Shaun Murphy.
Ronnie O’Sullivan has been drawn to face Luca Brecel in the first round.
Judd Trump meets Ryan Day while John Higgins faces Jack Lisowski.